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RECORDS 


of the 


INDIAN MUSEUM 


(A JOURNAL OF INDIAN ZOOLOGY) 


Vol. XVIII, 1919-1921. 


EDITED BY 
THE DIRECTOR, 
ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 


Calcutta : 


PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR, ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 
PRINTED AT THE BAPTIST MISSION PRESS. 


1921. 


REPORT ON THE 
AQUATIC FAUNA OF SEISTAN 


WITH SUBSIDIARY STUDIES. 


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CON DIENT. 
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Part I. Published 11th September, 1919. 


Geographical Introduction. (N. Annandale.) 


The Molluscs of the Inland Waters of Baluchistan and of Seistan, 
with a note on the Liver-fluke of Sheep in Seistan. (N. Annan- 
dale, B. Prashad and S. W. Kemp.) : as 


Notes on Fish of the genus Discognathus from India and Persia. 
(N. Annandale.) ae Be 


Notes on Odonata collected in Seistan and Baluchistan in winter. 
(He Cs Fyvaser.) .: 


Part Il. Published 20th December, 1919. 
Sponges, Hydrozoa and Polyzoa of Seistan. (N. Annandale) 
Carabidae from Seistan. (H. E. Andrewes.) 


Report on the Fresh-water Gastropod Molluscs of Lower Mesopo- 
tamia. Part I.—The genus Limnaeca. (N. Annandale and B. 
Prashad.) Ae ta 


On a new genus and species of Coccidae from North-Western 
India and Eastern Persia. (E. E. Green.) ath ; 


Notes on two collections of Birds from Seistan. (E. C. Stuart 
Baker.) a ae =h: ae = 


Part IIL. Published 29th April, 1929. 


Note on the occurrence of the Leech Limnatis nilotica in Seistan 
and the Afghan-Baluch Desert. (N. Annandale and Amin-ud- 
Din.) Be aes : ae oa 

Notes on some Asiatic species of Palingenta {Order Ephemerop- 
tera]. (F. H. Gravely.) - : a ae 


List of Entomostraca collected in Seistan and the Baluch Desert. 
(R. Gurney.) .. : ; 


Report, on the Fresh-water Gastropod Molluscs of Lower Meso- 
potamia. Part II.—The Family Planorbidae. (N. Annandale.) 


Part IV. Published 15th September, 1920. 


The Fish of Seistan. (N. Annandale and Sunder Lal Hora.) 


The Rhynchota-Heteroptera (Notonectidae and Corixidae) of 
Seistan. (W. L. Distant.) .. oe ie 


The Gross Anatomy of Corbicula fluminalis. (B. Prashad.) 


103 


117 


na 


Contents. 


Part V. Published 29th April, 1921. 
Note on the Leech Limnatis nilotica. (Tokio Kaburaki.) sty AB Tes 


Report on the Fresh-water Gastropod Molluscs of Lower Mesopo- 
tamia. Part III.—The Families Neritidae, eae and 


Melaniidae. (B. Prashad.) ay 713 
Notes on Larval Trematodes from Seistan. (S. Kemp.) ot « (me22G 


The Aquatic Fauna of Seistan: A Summary. (N. Annandale.).. 235 


LIST OF PLATES. 


ee 
Follow page 


Plate I (Map of Seistan and the neighbouring country) 
Plate II (Cliff on the Western shore of the Hamu} 16 
Helmand, near Lab-i-Baring 

Plates III—VIII (Mollusca) .. cts a oe od 
Plates IX—XI (Fish) ae = Es ee eta7ie: 
Plate XII (Polyzoa) a a so 25-208 
Plates XIII—XIV (Mollusca) so east ee rs. VA LEO 
Plates XV— XVI (Fish) 

Plate XVII (Shaped Rafts from India and Seistan) 5 tO ies 7 
Plates XVITI—XX (Palingenia) et os So ae 


Plates XXI—XXII (Coccidae) i a Jaf a LZO 


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Th ; 


ERRATA. 


SP 
In the twenty-first line from top of page 45 for ‘‘are neither 
swollen ”’ read ‘‘ are neither greatly swollen.” 


In the twenty-fourth line from bottom of page 59 for ‘‘L. jen- 
kinsontanus’’ read ‘‘ L. jenkinsianus.” 


In the twenty-third line from bottom of page 81 for ‘‘ rice-beds ”’ 
read ‘‘ reed-beds.”’ . 


INDEX. 


——<>— 


[N.B.—An asterisk (*) preceding a line denotes a new ae or subspecies; a 


dagger ({) indicates anew species; a double dagger (tf 


nyms are printed in italics. | 


A 
Page 
Achtea bimaculata .. : 243 
tAdiposia 152,155, 157, 182, 185, 186, 
; 247 
fongicauda 188 
macmahoni 151, eres NS 4s Sk Oues 


190, I91, 239, 240, 249 
riadinaea 151, 154, 157, 189, 239, 249 
Aedon familiaris Bit 123 
Aegialitis dubia 129 
dubia jerdoni 129 
Aeschninae 79 
Afrindella gt 
Agrioninae : 80 
Agrobates galactodes familiaris 123 
Alaemon alaudipes pallida 125 
desertorum 125 
Alcyonella 94. 
tAlocinma 222 tw223 
Alveolina 12 
sphaeroidea 12 
Amblyceps 5¢ . 184 
Amuicola Dei, Daly Pliy PG ZAM BAB} 
orcula ee 23 
parvula 17 7 LON 27; 
(Alocinma) alticola 24 
ejecta 56 223 
o.cula 56 ad 27 
{sistanica T7ipelOn 215) 244 20249 
Ammomanes deserti iranica 125 
phoenicura zarudnyi 126 
phoenicuroides .. ie 125 
Anagenesia 138, 140 
Anisops fieberi ZOOS 237 25L 
A piostoma zarudnyt ae 170 | 
Ardea cinerea ots 132 
Ardetta minuta a2 | 
Argya caudata 122 
caudata huttoni 122 
Arthropoda 238 
Athene bactriana 126 
noctua bactrianea 126 
Australella 93 
B 
Balitora 164 
maculata 164. 
Bembidium 99 
latiplaga 100 
niloticum 100 
varium Sc 50 100 
Bithinella oe s22L 222 


a new genus; syno- 
Page 
Bithinella miliacea 222 
palmyrae . 222 
Bithynia 22 222 22),.223 
badiella 222, 223 
orcula 5 24 
orcula parvula .. 2 
rubens 223 
tentaculata 246 
Bosmina longirostris 145, 252 
Botaurus stellaris Tse 
Brachinus IO! 
Bubo bengalensis 126 
bubo bengalensis 126 
bubo turcomanns 126 
Buccinum scabrum.. Ba BY, 
Buto viridis -244, 249 
Bullininae aie ne 148 
Bullinus 147, 148, 246 
contortus .- 149, 215 
contortus approximaus £49 
dybowskii 149 
Buteo ferox 126 
Bythinella : 221 
Bythinia ejecta 223227 
Cc 
Caprimulgus mahrattensis 126 
Carabidae ae 99 
Caridea = 244 
Cercaria 229, 231, 232 
Ceriodaphnia pulchella 145, 252 
reticulata 145, 146, 252 
Characeae ais OMON 70.1242 
Chironomus ats 242 
pictulus 250 
Chlaenius semicyaneus 100 
spoliatus 100 
Chaetogaster ae 23 
bengalensis Dd, Ahi, Bis 
punjabensis 238, 253 
Chelonia 244 
Chettusia leucura 129 
Chondrostoma 164 
Circus aeruginosus .. 127 
macrurus 127 
Cirrhina 69, 162—167 
afghana oe 162 
latia 67 
Cladocera 237 
Clangula glaucion 134 
Cobitidae I5I, 152, 154—157, 178, 
182, 188, 247 
Coccidae 116 


Page 
Columba eversmanui 127 
intermedia t2 
livia intermedia 127 
Copepoda 237 
Coracias garrula semenowi 1205) 226 
Corbicula By ily Gy/g GOO Uy 
cor 58, 236 
crassula : 58 
fluminalis 18— se ie SiS 189 » 209, 
QUT, (235, 23/— 242 3-250 
fluminalis coy .. 30 58 
iagillierti 209, 211 
Corbitis stoliczkae Sc 178 
Corixa atfinis 265) 23713) 2405251 
hieroglyphica 205, 240, 251 
ragenhoteri as 206 
yrandaua Se 206, 240, 251 
yseistanensis 209, 251 
substriata 205, 251 
Corixidae ; ZO5 2805 237; 
Corvus cornix Bh 0 122 
cornix sharpil 121,122 
frugilegus 122 
frugilegus tschusii 1222 
Coturnix communis 128 
coturnix ao 8a 
Crossochilus in 67, 69, 162, 163 
Crustacea 145, 236, 240 
Culex fatigans. . : 251 
Cursorius gallicus 50 129 
Cyclops leuckarti DAS N23 7252 
strenuus W455 2379 252 
viridis 145, 252 
Cygnus cyguus an ae 132 
MUSICUS 3 132 
Cyperus alterifolius — 3 196 
Cypridopsis dentatomarginatis 146 
Cyprinidae 5 Uy UGLY UEOs uy 
Cyprininae 151, a 15s, WHO, bs WOS 
Cyprinion kirmanensis : 159 
Cyprinodontidae 152 
Cyprinoidea : 156, 186 
Cyprinotus incongruens 146, 236 
Cyprinus : 104. 
godiyari af 
gotyla Ac 75 
lamta Win Gis Mon 
(Garra) lamta .. oe 164 
Cyvena coy 
crassula 58 
Cyrenidae 18, 57 
D 
Dafila acuta 133 
acuta acuta ae m38 
Daplinia longispina rosea 145, 252 
magna 145, 146, 237, 252 
Diaphanosoma brachyurum 146 
Diaptomus salinus .. 146 
Diplocheila transcaspica 100 
Diptera .. 239 | 
Discognathus 65-67, 69, 78, 156, 158, 
161, 162, 164—166, 245 
jadiscus 66, 68,69, 71,151, 152, 154, 
156, 162, 163, 165—167, 238, 


240—42, 249 | 


Page 


Discognathus bicornutus 65, 66 


ceylonensis a 77 
y elegans 66, 76, 77 
sory 66, 72, 75 
gravelyi 66, 67 
imberbis ae 66 
jerdoni : 66, 73—77 
jerdoni kangrae Vi Gel 
hangvae 74 
lamta 65, 66s Fil AZ 74, 7%, 158 
macrochir ahs 67, 78 
nasutus 67, 78 
persicus 72 
jphryne 6—70, 151 pene 156, 164, 
166, 238, 239, 249 
platycephalus 65, 66, 77 
quadrimaculatus 67, 69 
rufus Sas 158 
stenorhynchus 66, 74, 76 
variabilis 67, 69—77, 154, I6!, 164, 
Met 166, 167 
vinciguerrae ae 67 
_ wauae 65, 66, 69 
Distichus planus 99 
DOstiaws 215 
Dyschirius 99 
Dytiscidae 237 

E 
Entomostraca 145, 237, 238, 242 
Ephemera : a 138 
vulgata PLAT pia 
Ephemeroptera : Lay 
Ephydatia fluviatilis "83, 84, 87, ee 96, 
a 242, 243, 247+ 253, 
fluviatilis himalayensis oes 87 
fluviatilis intha Se 83 
fluviatilis syriaca 83, 87, 90 
meyeni ae 247 
mulleri go 
multiformis go 
Ephydridae 239 
Erium Ii7 
Eucypris clavata Wl, Bas DRZ 
pubera i 146 

F 
Falco aesalon insignis T2027, 
Fasciola 22 AT OZ OB 
aegyptiaca 63 
augusta a 63 
gigantea De OVNs (O55 53 
hepatica 51, 62, 229, 231 
Francolinus francolinus henricii 128 
vulgaris : 128 
Fredericella sultana LOO MeZAe 
sultana joidanice 83, or, 242, BARE 
247, 253 
| Fulica atra atra en IS) 

G 
Galatea 215 
Gabrida cristata chendoola 121 
cristata magna . 125 


Page 

Gallinula chloropus parvifrons 121, 128 
Gammarus ae - 243 
Garra 158, 161, 162, 164, 165 245 
crenulata . 73 
gotyla : 75 
jevdont an 73 
lamta 3 73 
nasutus 162, 163. 165 
obtusa 73 
persica Go 72 
rufa :: 73 
(Garra) cevlonensis 77 
Gastropoda ae Pd yA > 
Gerris 239, 243 
Glaucion 134 
Glaucionetta clangula 134 
Glycia ornata a IOt 
Glyptosternum 185, 186 
Goniorhynchus 164 
gotyla 73 
stenorhynchus 74 
Grus grus 130 
Gyraulus 20, 52, 56, 147, 246, 
albus 535 57 
convexiusculus 18, 19, 2I—23, 40, 
52—57, 147, He ro 231, 232, 

DE] o ba 242, 246, 250 

devians auphintica,” 55 


euphraticus 18—22, 40, 52—55, TAG 


148, 215, 235, 2375 238, 240, 242, 
246, 250 
intermixtus TAGE RUA GR 2 sic 
saigonensts 52h 55 
velifer A 56 
H 

Halmopota viridescens 239, 244, 25: 
Hemiarax a 79 
ephippiger Ne 79 
Herpetocypris reptans 145, 252 

Himantopus candidus 23 12 
himantopus.. 129 
Hirudinea 230 
Hyalinella 3 so Oy OA 
Hydra vulgaris 83,90, wh 253 
Hydrobia 221 
Hydrobiidae 17 23,2 2058 221 
Hydrocena Bas 27 
Dydrometridae 239 
Hydrophilidae 237 
Hydroprogne Se 131 
F ydrozoa : 83, 90 


! 
Ilyocypris bradyi 145; 146, 236, 237, 252 


Insecta 236, 240 
Ischnura 80, 81 
elegans ’ 80, 242, 250 
senegalensis 80 
Isidora brocchii 149 
Ixobrychus minutus 132 
L 
Labeo rohita 169 
Lamellibranchia 18, 57 


x1 


Page 

Lamellidens Sin ay ZA SO 
jenkinsonianus Ss 59 
marginalis NOp ZO 2 bs 57159239 
marginalis candaharica . 60 
marginalis corrianus PF 59 
*marginalis rhadinaeus TOROS Os 

60; 625,160, 189, 239), 240, 242), 

247, 250 

Lanius cristatus isabellinus 123 
cristatus phoenicuroides 23 
phoewncuroides 123 
Larus argentatus cachinnans 131 
gelastes 131 
ichthyaetus 731 
ridibundus . 131 
Leptestheria tenuis 145, 238, 252 
Libellulinae 5 A 79 
Limtaea 19, 20, 22, 39, 41, 42, 45, 49, 
103, 104, 246 

auricularia 305,40, 43501045 05s 
auricularia persica ae 4! 


bactriana 18, 19, 22, 39, 40—az, 44, 


ASP Act OPelOd a OO, 1075) Tle oie. 
237, 238, 246, 250 

canalifera 108 
chlamys - 47, 246 
fcor LOAS LOOM Tee 1st 
euphratica 113 
fgedrosiana 18, 19, 21, 22, 39, 41, 42, 
48—50, 63, 104, ee nie Wie SOUT 
239, 241, 242, 246, 250 


*oedrosiana fectlabens DOs LOR) 225 


23, 40,41, 42, 49, 106, 241 250 
hordeum 18—21, 39, 41, 51, 106, 114, 


246, 250 

intermedia ays 45 
Tiranica 18, 19, 39, 41, 42, 43, 49, 
106 

lagotis 45, 47, 113 
lagotis persica .. a2 43 
lagotis subdisjuncta 47 
ovata inflata Lil 
peregva 48, 49 
peregra canalifera 104, 106, 108, 113, 
215 

peregra ovata .. St 45 
peregriforvmis 108, III 
persica . . 18—26, 39, 41, 106 
stagnalis Se 20, 246 
subpersica 41, 107 
tenera : DUS ys! 
tenera angustior 114 


tenera euphratica 104, 106, 113, 114, 


215 

truncatula 18, 19, 39, 41, 50,51, 104, 
106, 115 

truncatula longula BI 51 
Limnaeae ee 21139 
Limnaeidae 18, 21, 39, 47 
Limnaeus lagotis persica ae 41 


Limnatis nilotica 135, 136, 213, 214, 236, 


; : 247, 253 
Limnatis (Poecilobdella) granulosa 136, 
214 

Limnicythere inopinata : 146 
Limosa belgica oe 129 


limosa 126 


Page 

Lithoglyphus ae ate 221 
Lophopodella ot bn Clos Qa 
capensis 56 gO 
capensis michaelseni ne 96 
carteri 83, 91, 96, 238, 239, 247, 253 
carteri davenporti 96, 247 
carteri himalayana eas 97 
stuhlmanni ae, aa 96 
thomasi an ae 96 

M 
Machetes pugnax .. Sc 130 


Macrocorisa geffroyi 205, 237, 251 


Marmaronetta augustirostris 133 
Melania 28335 222 
adspersa $0 5.0. Biba. BS 
elegans ai Deiehel 27 
pyvamis 28, 32 
pyvamis adspersa si 33 
scabra elegans .. es 37 
tigrvina Pi Bi 30 
tuberculata oe 3 224 
tuberculata luteomarginata 35 
(Plotia) scabra elegans oe 33 
(Strviatella) tuberculata ie AS 
(Striatella) tuberculata flavida 34. 
Melaniidae I7, 21, 28—30, 215, 224 
Melanoides PBN hoe RYO Pepa 
elegans Hig es 2 
fascrolata 31 
pyramis 17, 18, 20, 32, 34—37 235 


Ppyramis flavida 17, 195120, 225,20), 30; 


34—36, 225, 220, 235, 244 


*pyramis leopardina 30, 33, 36 
pyramis luteomarginata 17, 19, 29, 
30, 34, 35 


*pyramis puteicola 33, 34 


scabra 19, 29, 34, 37 
scabra elegans 18, 29, 32, 37 
tigrina 18, 29, 30, 36 
tuberculata 29, 31,32 35—37, 149, 
224 
Melanopsis 20, 37, 225, 240 
costata 225, 226 
deserticola Oe 29, 30,37 
nodosa oo 225 
praerosa nana .. i 39 
subtingitana 226 
subtingitana jaevis 226 
turcica 225 
turcica bellio 226 
Merops persicus persicus Bc 126 « 
Metabletus fuscomaculatus .. IOI 
Microlestes corticalis ae IO 
Micronecta biskrensis 206, 236, 251 
jdesertana 206, 236, 251 
Microvelia 515 243 
Mollusca <a L 235, 238, 240 
Monticola solitaria pandoo ae 124 
Motacilla alba personata 516 125 
personata An ae 125 
N 
{Naiacoccus at 5c 117 
fserpentinus .. oe 117 
*serpentinus minor ‘ie 118 


x 


Page 
Naias major : 9, 50,242 
Nais communis punjabensis 97, 238, 253 


Nemachilus D5 Sh by LGN TOs else 
evezardi a oe 185 
lhasae 36 178—180 
longicauda ve 155, 182 
macmahont bie 183, 187 
montanus ae a 167 
vhadinaeus 183, 189 
sargadensis 196 
savona on Bie 185 
stenurus 178—180 
stoliczkae 151, 154,167,178, 170, 


180, 239, 246, 249 


stoliczkae leptosoma 179: -181 
stoliczkae productus 179, 180 
yarkandensis .. ae 178 
Neomelanien 56 ss 28 
Nertta tuberculata .. ats 3i 
Neritaea 216 
macrii michoni_ 217 
Neritidae sé Be 215 
Neritina Pilsen PIS) 
anatolica bellardii Ly 217 
anatolica mesopotamica 217 
bellardii ots ate 217 
crepidularia 216 
cvepidularia schlaeflit 216 
depressa - : 216 
jordani =e 216—220 
jovdant turvis .. 218—-220 
meridionalis mesopotamica 217 
mesopotamica .. 217 
michoni ire 217 
schlaeflii bic 216 
(Mitrula) schlaeflti 216 
(Theodoxta) jordant Sc 218 
(Theodoxia) jovdanit aberrans 218— 
220 
(Theodoxta) michoni 218 
Netta rufina Sie 134 
Nettium crecca Se oe 133 
Notonecta > ie 205 
glauca 205, 237, 251 
glauca marmorea 50 205 
Notonectidae 205, 237 
Notonectinae 3 ae 205 
Numumulites atacicus ere II 
Nyroca ferina 134 
O 
Odonata .. : ate 79 
Oenanthe alboniger Se 12 
deserti atrogularis 124 
isabellina Ae 124 
picata se as 124 
Oligochaeta a oh 238 
Orthetrum at ae 79 
taeniolatum ats Ae 79 
Ostracoda 237 
P 
Palingenia r/o ugTo)n SUehe) 


ie 141, 142, 240, 
250 


longicauda 138, 


Xili 


Page Page 
Falingenta minor are 143 Pogonus micans 1 “* 99 
vobusta oe ors 140 | Polyzoa 14, 83, 91, 239, 240, 242 
(Anagenesia) greent : 141 | Porifera .. vs -: 84 
(Anagenesia) lata a 140 | Porzana parva -- + 128 
(Anagenesia) minor a8 143 potzana - 128 
+(Anagenesia) picta Sc 140 | Potamocypris villosa 145, 146, 237, 252 
(Anagenesia) robusta 3 140 | Potamogeton 6,7, 10, 47, 50, 238, 240, 
Paludestrinidae ae Sc 23 241 
Paludina ie 27221 222 lucens : -- 9, 241 
badiella Ss we 27 pectinatus °9, 49, 50, 145, 242 
parvula ies ate 27 perfoliatus.. en O42 
Paludinella fs ve 221 | Potamon gedrosianum 240, 251 
Paludomus a0 222° (Potamon) potamios gedrosianum 
Passer moabiticus yatti Git, Pals v4 ae ; Bae 189 
montanus ; i 124 Prinia gracilis lepida 123 
montanus dilutus ae Se 124 lepida -- - 123 
Pectinatella davenporti Ss 97 | Pseudamnicola a 235 24, 223 
Pectinibranchia ae a 17 macrostoma ... - 277, 
Pelecanus onocrotalus eS 131 | Pseudococcinae Sc wi 3) LIZ, 
onocrotalus onocrotalus .. 131 | Psilorhynckus .° 162, 164 
Phalacrocovax carbo AF is 132 tentaculatus .. .- 163 
carbo subcormoranus ee 132 | Psychoda bengalensis mC 220 
Phoenicopterus minor ae 132 Pterocles avenarius .. ae 128 
Phoeincurus erythronotus 124 arenarius caudacuta oD 128 
Phragmites Dh 8, 26, 49 Pterostichus a ve 101 
communis rn 3. 194, 241 Pulmonata 5¢ 5c 18 
kharka ame ar 8 
Physa tiberidensis .. oe 149 Q 
(Isidora) Brochii oe 149 
(Isodora) lirata ss 149 | Querquedula crecca.. =o 133 
Physopsis 147 
Pisidium paludosum 18, 195 57 
Planorbidae So Me Bis a6 BG. yy R 
eases of os a Rana cyanophlyctis a 245 
Cais bs Eos 6 Sheree: seistanica 245, 249 
i RVESSUS iri ; esculenta : SC 244. 
ET oes ii i : : ay esculenta ridibunda 244, 249 
euphraticus 2: 53 52 Se 23912377240 
nities ise 3 = Rhynchota Heteroptera a 205 
saigonensis sic 56 EGG 
vortex 54 S 
Planorbis (Gyraulus) ‘devians euphratica 
54,148 | Salix acmophylla .. a6 10 
(Gyraulus) intermixtus of 148 | Salmonidae Be 154, 168, 186 
Platycava a: -» 71,164 | Saxicola albinigra .. 50 124 
nasutus 50 164 capistrata aie 56 124 
Plotia.. & 28, 30, 34 deserti ie sc 124 
Plumatella ys A gi tsabellina *% 124 
bigemmis fe 94, 242, 247 | Scaphiodon a 156, 158, 245 
indica as as 94 | macmahoni I51r, 152, 154, 156, 158, 
jheringi oe os 94 160, 239, 249 
lendenfeldi she ae 94 muscatensis ae 56 159 
longigemmis .. oC 94 | Schistosoma japonicum 229, 231 
persica rs -- 92, 247 | Schistosomatidae .. -, 22 
philippinensis .. Es 2 | Schizocypris ae 154, 156, 175 
punctata a0 Os OL: bruce (5p Esse l5Osn 5S) 70s 2408 
tanganyikae .. 50 g2 241, 245, 249 
testudinicola .. -- 83,92 | Schizopygopsis 154, 150, 176, 246, 
{(Afrindella) persica 83, 92, 240, 253 stoliczkae 151,154, 156, 173, 239, 
(Afrindella) tanganyikae .. QI | 245, 249 
{(Hyalinella) ee ea 94, 253 | Schizothoracinae I51I, 152, 154—I156, 
Plumatellidae QI | 168, 178, 246 
Podiceps albipennis. as 134 | Schizothorax 154, 156, 170, 176,198 
cristatus 5 ae 134 | affinis = 170 
fluviatilis albipennis 50 134 altior ae as 173 
Poecilobdella Be a lSO, 2041 brevis we 170 


Page 
Schizothorax intermedius 170 
macrolepis 170 
minutus 170 
ritchianus Se : 170 
zarudnyi I5I—154, 156, 165, 169, 
170, 173, 176, 177, 192, 198, 232, 
239—242, 245, 249 
Scirpus Sa 36 10 
littoralis 8, 194, 241 
Segmentina 20, 52, 50 
calathus 18, 19, ai 40, 55, 36, 215, 
2 38, 240, 250 
Siagona depressa 100 
europaea 100 
Siluroidea 186 
Simocephalus exspinosus sic 146 
vetulus Wil 5 22375 GAGA) 
Sisoridae bc 186 
Spatula clypeata 133 
Spirogyra 79 
Spougilla alba 83, 84, 86, 96, 24, 247 
*alba rhadinea .. 85, 253 
carteri 83, 96, 247 
fragilis eo 90 
lacustris 3 84, 86 
*“lacustris ineptorum 86 
lacustris montana — 86 
(Eunapius) carteri ST 2Ae253 
Stenothyra ec oe 222 
Steyvna anglica 131 
fluviatilis 131 
hirundo 131 
minuta 131 
minuta gouldi 131 
nilotica 131 
Streptopelia turtur decaorta 127. 
Striatella : 28, 34 | 
Sturnus menzbieri 123 
vulgaris nobilior 123 
vulgaris poltaratskii 123 
Succinea bensoni 114 
Sylvia jerdont 123 
mystacea 3 121, 123 
Symplecta elongata .. 2385 251 
punctipennis 243, 251 
T 
Tadorna tadorna .. aie 133 
Talorchestia sie ae 243 
Tamarix articulata .. 118 
stricta ore Se 118 


a 


Page 
Tellina .. an 4 209 
fluminalis ; 2 5051209 
Theobaldia longiareolata 236, 251 
Theodoxia jordant 50 218 
Theodoxts An 216, 217 
jovdant 218,-21¢ 
michont ee 218—220 
Theodoxus Sc ws 2157. 
fluviatilis ae ats 217 
Tichodromia muraria 123 
Tinnunculus tinnunculus saturatus 127 
Totanus glareola_.. 130 
totanus eurhinus 130 
Tricula D2 222 
montana 221 
palmyrae : 222 
Tringa alpina alpina 130 
Turtur visorius dbo 510 127 
Typha “es 8, 242 
angustifolia 241 
angustata 194 
latifolia 196 
U 
Unio as be Bo Ses SO 
Unionidae 18, 59, 160, 210 
V 
Vallisneria 9 
spiralis 9 
Valvata 27 
Vivipara 19, 27, 246 
dissimilis : 27 
(dissimilis) hilmendensis oy 
hlimandica 239, 246, 247, 250 
hlimandensis 7s 19—21, 27, 28, 240 
sindica 50 246 
Viviparidae se Be) Gy Zi 
Xx 
| Xiphidiocercaria 22 
Z 
Zannichellia Fc aie 145 
palustris 5c 6, 47, 237, 238 
Zaponia parva parva ne 128 
pusilla a -- 128 


ee a ed 


REPORT ON THE AQUATIC FAUNA OF SEISTAN. 
PREFATORY NOTE. 


The series of papers of which the first instalment is now pub- 
lished will be based mainly on the collections made by Mr. S. W. 
Kemp and myself in Seistan and Baluchistan in November, De- 
cember and January, 1918-19. The main object of our tour was 
to enquire into the etiology of the disease Bilharziasis or Schistoso- 
miasis, and particularly to discover whether the parasite occurred 
in Seistan, or whether any known intermediate molluscan host was 
found to be in that country. For this and other work on the 
zoological aspect of the disease a generous grant of money was 
made by the Council of the Indian Medical Research Fund. So 
far as it was concerned our results were entirely negative; but we 
took the opportunity to make as large and complete a collection 
of the aquatic fauna as the time at our disposal permitted. As 
this fauna is a limited one (7.e. includes few species but large 
numbers of individuals) we were able to obtain a more representa- 
tive set of specimens than would have otherwise been the case. 
Our material, moreover, is supplemented by the specimens col- 
lected by the Seistan Boundary Commission of 1902-03 under the 
command of Sir Henry McMahon. 

To Mr. Kemp my first acknowledgments are due. Indeed, a 
great part of the zoological success of our little expedition must 
be attributed to him. I only regret that it is impossible for his 
name to be more intimately associated with my own in the prepa- 
ration of this report. The reason is the stress of other work 
and the necessity for a visit to Europe on his part. I have also 
to thank the political officers in Baluchistan and Seistan, in par- 
ticular, Mr. B. J. Gould, I.C.S., His Britannic Majesty’s Consul in 
Seistan, Major D. Heron, I.M.S., C.I.E., Medical Officer and Vice- 
Consul, and Major. W. G. Hutchinson, Political Agent, Chagai. 
The officers serving on the Eastern Persian Cordon also gave us 
much assistance in the way of transport and supplies. Babu 
J. N. Bagchi, Head Clerk, Zoological Survey of India, accom- 
panied us and did good work. I have to thank Mr. EK. Vreden- 
burg of the Geological Survey of India for valuable suggestions 
embodied in the Introduction, while Dr. Baini Prashad, Offg. 
Director of Fisheries, Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, has helped me in 
various ways. 


2 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XVIII, 1919.] 


In examining the collection from Seistan it has been neces- 
sary also to examine much material of other provenance, and I 
have found it convenient to include in this volume certain studies 
of wider geographical scope. 

N. ANNANDALE. 
Calcutta, 


17-v-19. 


GEOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION. 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Director, Zoological Survey of 
India. 


(With Plates I-I1.) 
Seistan and the Helmand River. 


The Persian district of Seistan, at periods in its history an 
independent state and at others a part of Afghanistan, lies roughly 
between long. 61° and 62° E., lat. 30°50’’ and 31°50” N.; but its 
precise boundaries are not delimited to the west and south. It 
consists of the delta of the R. Helmand and the Hamun or basin 
into which that river flows. These lie, surrounded on all sides by 
stony desert, in a depression less than 2000 feet above sea level. 
The Helmand rises in the Hindu Khush in about lat. 68°40” and 
long. 34°30” and flows for three hundred miles through the moun- 
tains of Afghanistan, receiving many tributaries on its way. It 
then debouches on the desert plateau of Registan and, some 
distance after doing so, is joined by its largest tributary, the 
Arghandab. The course of the united waters, which flow in a 
deep bed through the desert, is S.S.W. for some seventy miles. 
They are then deflected by a small range of hills through which 
they have been unable to cut their way, and continue westward, 
with a distinct southward bend, for about another hundred and 
fifty miles. Then, on reaching the southern limits of the old delta, 
the river breaks up into innumerable channels, partly natural, 
partly artificial, which turn northwards. In these channels, 
the chief of which is ultimately known as the Rud-i-Pariun, 
much of the water is dissipated, but what remains finally drains 
westward into the Hamun-i-Helmand or Hamun-iSeistan, a large 
basin (or rather series of basins) which occupies a- considerable 
but extremely variable area. After the junction of the Arghan- 
dab and the Helmand very little additional water, not nearly 
enough to compensate for evaporation, enters the system ; for the 
desert is practically rainless, even in Seistan the rainfall is only a 


4 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor,. XVIII, 


little over 2} inches a year,’ and there are no permanent affluent 
streams. Seistan is a well-watered country, but its water-supply, 
like that of Egypt, depends not on local rainfall but on the 
rainfall and the snows in a mountainous region many miles away. 
The fact that, unlike most of the lake-systems of Central Asia 
and Persia, that of the Hamun-iSeistan has not dried up is 
to be explained only by the peculiar course of the Helmand, the 
greater part of which traverses comparatively damp mountainous 
country. 

The Hamun, however, is not the final repository of the 
soluble matter which the river inevitably brings into it. If it 
had been so, with its limited area, all its water would have been 
salt long ago. On maps of Persia and the adjacent countries a 
river, named the Shelagh (or Shila) river, is marked running 
southwards and eastwards from the Hamun into another basin, the 
Gaud-i-Zirreh, which occupies a very large area in the great desert 
of south-western Afghanistan. This is the Dead Sea of the 


| The following tables of rainfall (in inches) are derived from official 
sources :— 


ig | 
S ee 
4 : ¢ [aa ; =e ee 
Season. 3 : E Sell Sige 3 iy | 3 
© 3 = iS D mn Es op 
=) ates = is D = O) = a 
OQ O a5 DG op) & Siac) 
October to March sot E750 sOROO et eGi ae OediG al 2206 | SOL 79S ames 
April.to September... | 2°40 | 1°72) O°81 |.3°40 |\"0745 |) 374107! 1 -G25 i aiees 
TOTAL we | O'45- | 9°78! | 5°32 11°85 | 2°51 | 8:50" 1) Osha aaeam 
RAINFALL AT NASRATABAD, SEISTAN. 
Month 1902 190 190 1905 Total Avera sia 
; phils 2e3: Oe DoE ; month. 
January aaa a: 1°46 0°60 0°44 2°50 0°83 
February seul Notane= | 
corded. 0°42 O'15 o'28 | 0°85 0°28 
March As be 0°07 o'19 ORV wa56 o'51 
April Aa 0°03 I‘19Q ia aA Te22 O’4i 
May a6 a 0°05 sia ae 0°05 002 
June a ate | 0:07 Stic =o) |, O07 ee 
July ae 
August 
September a a um Sn sek Age vee 
October By o'2 me rae a |) 0727, 0°09 
November es O'17 0°07 0°06 ve 0°30 o'Lo 
December $i 0'60)7 ||; org oO'ol as O'74 O25 
ToTAL re 1°07 || s4326 L‘OI 1°09 7°43 2°95! 


IgIQ.] Seistan and the Helmand. 5 


Helmand system.' Except in times of exceptional flood the 
Shelagh is a deep stream-bed, dry except for scattered pools of 
water so saline that tamarisk twigs at the edge are coated half an 
inch thick with salt ; but the water in flood-times, at the very site 
of these pools, becomes readily drinkable and the river is a raging 
torrent. Similarly the Gaud-i-Zirreh is at most seasons a wide 
plain covered with a thick deposit of salt and containing pools and 
swamps of saline water ; but it may become a real lake for the time 
being, with water of comparatively but not actually low salinity. 

The climate of Seistan, though regular from year to year, 
is one of considerable extremes and with only two seasons, summer 
and winter. In December and January the temperature usually 
falls below freezing point at night, while in summer it frequently 
rises to T15°F. in the shade by day, with a maximum of about 117°. 
It is, however, very exceptional for the larger bodies of water to 
freeze completely, while the summer heat is tempered by an 
almost unceasing wind. Wind,” indeed, seems to be the most con- 
stant feature of the climate, and its direction seldom changes. 
The direction is about N.N.W. For weeks on end in summer time 
it does not stop, and even in winter windy days are commoner 
than calm ones, and the wind is as arule practically N.N.W. Such 
rain as falls, falls mainly between the end of December and that of 
April, in which thunderstorms accompanied by hail and causing 
sudden floods sometimes occur; but the real flood-season takes 
place when the snows begin to melt in Afghanistan between March 
and May. 


Different Types of Aquatic Environment in Seistan. 


A summary description of the Helmand-system and the cli- 
mate of Seistan has been necessary to explain the very existence of 
the Hamun-i-Helmand as a lake, and of an aquatic fauna in the 
country. A detailed account® of the system would be impossible 


| In high floods a certain amount of water runs from the Helmand direct into 
the southern part of the Hamun system through a channel probably of artificial 
origin, and in exceptionally high floods some may flow direct into the Gaud-i- 
Zirreh, but this is not the normal course. 

2 ** At the end of May, or middle of June, the celebrated bad-i-sad-o-bist rug 
(120 days’ wind) sets in and blows with but little cessation till the middle or end of 
September. It blows unceasingly for four or five days at a time, usually attaining 
its maximum daily velocity between midnight and 5 a.M and again between 8 A.M. 
and5p.M. It moderatesa littlein the early morning andevening. After four or five 
days it drops a little for a day or two, only to recommence with renewed violence. 
It blows with appalling violence, reaching the maximum velocity. as recorded by 
the Mission anemometers, of 72 miles per hour. It blows always from one direc- 
tion, viz. a little west of north, i.e. between 3163° and 3332°.’’ (From an official 
document). 

8 The most complete account of the topography of Seistan yet published is 
to be found in Tate’s Sefstan. A Memoir on the History, Topography, Ruins 
and People of the Country, Parts I-IV (Calcutta, 1910 and 1912). See also 
McMahon “ The Southern Borderland of Afghanistan,’’ Geog. Fourn. 1X, pp. 393- 
415 (1897), zd., ‘‘Recent Survey and Exploration in Seistan,’’ Vol. XXVIII, 
PP: 3337340 (1906), and Rawlinson ‘‘ Notes on Seistan,”’ Fourn. Roy. Geog. Soc. 

II, pp. 272-294 (1873). 


6 Records of the Indian Museum. [ Mor. <VELT; 


without further knowledge and greater space than are at my 
disposal. It is necessary, however, if the peculiarities of the fauna 
are to be demonstrated that a somewhat fuller description should 
be given of the physical conditions in which it lives. I have 
referred to Seistan as a well-watered country. One might go 
further and describe it as almost a water-logged country ; and yet 
at first sight, at any rate in winter, it appears to be a desert of 
hard grey clay, only clothed with a sparse growth of camelthorn, 
only mitigated by the astounding play of the mirage. The appa- 
rent barrenness is because the soil is full of mineral salts dissolved 
in the water which permeates it a few feet below the surface. By 
capillary action the salts are drawn up towards the surface and 
assist in forming a hard, almost cement-like crust, which has to 
be removed before the operations of agriculture become pos- 
sible. If a field or a garden be neglected for a few yeats a new 
crust of the kind is formed, and so it is only those parts of the 
country actually under cultivation that have any appearance of 
fertility. 

The whole country is covered with a network of small water- 
channels ultimately connected with the branches or effluents of the 
Helmand. In these the flow of water is carefully regulated and 
for a great part of the year many of them are permanently or 
periodically dry. Even in their immediate vicinity the clay is 
almost lifeless. It is only in exceptional cases that the channels 
themselves support an aquatic vegetation, but in the one that sup- 
plies the Consulate garden at Nasratabad, there is a sparse vegeta- 
tion of Characeae and Potamogeton, while in brick-pits close at hand 
on the parade-ground Zannichellia palustris, 1,., grows with fair 
luxuriance. A green filamentous alga is more common and forms 
felt-like masses as it dries. These masses are often seen coating 
and sometimes completely burying the camelthorn in occasionally 
flooded country. 

We did not have time to visit the main channels of the 
Helmand, but at a place near Jellalabad about twelve miles ncrth- 
east of Nasratabad we examined the bed of one of the larger effluent 
streams. At the end of November, 1918 this stream-bed was 
almost dry, but shallow pools remained in which the water, though 
not very salt, was turbid and extremely foul owing to the presence 
of large flocks and herds which watered at the pool, and to the 
enormous number of small fish and mayfly larvae (Palingenia) that 
were dying in it. There was no vegetation in an active state in 
these pools, but peculiar roots with large globular swellings were 
still alive in the mud, and we found at some places the remains of 
reeds. Still nearer Nasratabad we examined a narrower but more 
active water-course, probably in part of artificial formation, which 
was connected with a small lake or large backwater. In this lake 
the only vegetation consisted of reeds in a withered condition, but 


L | have to thank my friend Dr. H. G. Carter for the name of this and other 
plants mentioned in this report. 


1919. | Seistan and the Helmand. 7 


near it was a smaller pool in which were scattered plants, almost 
moribund, of a species of Potamogeton. 

By far the most peculiar and most interesting body of water 
in the country, however, is that which occupies the Hamun. To 
appreciate the structure of the Hamun it must be realized that the 
word means lake-basin rather than lake, and is sometimes applied 
to large hollows that are quite dry. Moreover, in Seistan at any 
rate, it is used in a collective sense to indicate a whole series of 
basins only joined together in high floods. In this sense the full 
name is the Hamun-i-Seistan or Hamun-i-Helmand, but it is com- 
mon to speak merely of the Hamun. On some maps of Persia and 
the adjacent countries the Helmand is shown as flowing into a com- 
pact body of water some eighty miles long and from ten to thirty 
broad. This state of affairs, however, only exists in exceptionally 
high floods and probably does not occur more than once in a 
decade. The Hamun is ordinarily divided into several distinct 
basins, of which two may be recognized as of most importance and 
most distinct. These may be conveniently referred to as the 
Hamun-i-Sabari and the Hamun-i-Koh-i-Khwaja. The Hamun-i- 
Sabari,' to use the name in the wider sense in which it is often 
used in Seistan, is the northern half of the Hamun-i-Seistan, and 
the only part of it that contains water not strongly saline at any 
season but flood-time. It rarely dries up completely. In normal 
winters it probably covers an area about ten to twenty miles 
long by six to twelve miles broad. The Rud-i-Pariun and other 
branches of the Helmand enters this basin on the eastern side. 
It is separated from the Hamun-i-Koh-i-Khwaja by a broad bar 
which is, except in flood-time, quite dry. Except at this season, 
the southern basin is dry or contains only pools of strongly saline 
water. It is only when the Hamun-i-Sabari overflows that it 
fills up, and when it itself overflows the-Shelagh becomes a real 
river. 

At the time of our visit the Hamun-i-Koh-i-Khwaja was said 
to be almost completely dry and we did not visit it. I shall 
confine my further remarks on the Hamun system, therefore, to 
the Hamun-i-Sabari. Of this lake we visited only the southern 
part, the northern extremity lying in Afghan territory. 

The shores of this part of the Hamun are for the most part 
low and shelving, composed of mud more or less firmly caked and 
with frequent beds of reeds. Along the western shore there are, 
however, cliffs in some places over 50 feet high. The water 
reaches the base of these cliffs only in very high floods and 
the beach below them is strewn with water-worn pebbles. They 
are themselves composed of hard greenish-white clay formed of 


! On most maps, including those issued recently by the Survey of India, this 
name is confined to the extreme northern part of the system, which is often 
isolated if not completely dry, the more important basin into which the waters of 
the Helmand actually flow being left nameless. At Lab-i-Baring, however, the 
whole lake is called Hamun-i-Sabari. 


8 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vion xcV Aims 


very fine particles of even structure.! Along their summits a com- 
paratively thin layer contains numerous pebbles similar to those 
that cover the surrounding desert,” and it is from this layer that 
the pebbles of the beach are derived. The cliffs themselves are 
being continually eaten away by wind and occasional rain and 
undermined by floods, which cause great blocks of clay to fall 
down on to the shore. 

No trace of shells or other animal remains has been found in 
the clay of the cliffs. The clay of the bottom of the open lake in 
their vicinity is very similar in general appearance though natur- 
ally much softer, but contains empty shells of Lamellidens and 
Corbicula in a remarkably unworn condition. 

The normal flood-level is marked on the shores of the lake by 
a drift-line consisting mainly of the broken stems and the inflo- 
rescences of reeds. 

Perhaps the most prominent feature of this part of the Hamun 
is the enormous beds of reeds that cover a large part of its area. 
These reeds are of three kinds. Each kind grows separately but 
beds of each are to be found in the midst of those of the other 
two. The most abundant species is a form of Phragmites exactly 
intermediate, as my friend Dr. H. G. Carter informs me, between 
the Palaearctic P. communis and the Indian P. kharka. This 
reed covers hundreds of square miles in the flood season and 
gives its name (naz) to the Naizar or reed-country that affords 
valuable pasturage for sheep and cattle. When the floods sink 
the reeds die down as the soil dries, but those that have estab- 
lished themselves in deeper water flourish throughout the year. 
Next in abundance is Scirpus littoralis, which also covers large 
areas but does not extend so far out from the lake, and finally we 
have a bulrush of the genus Typha, which is rather less abundant 
than the other two species. 

The reed-beds provide the means of life to two distinct classes 
of people who live on the shores of the Hamun—the Gaodar or 
cowherds and the Saiyads or hunters. The Gaodar have large 
herds of cattle, which they feed on the young shoots of Phragmites 
and Typha, both fresh and dry, and particularly on the Scirpus. 
Both tribes construct their dwellings entirely of Phragmites, and 
both make curious little skiffs, not unlike the papyrus skiffs of 
ancient Egypt, of the leaves of the bulrush—the only craft on the 
waters of Seistan. 

The reed-beds are penetrated in all directions by narrow 
channels said to be made by the cattle of the Gaodar wading out 
to pasture, but probably kept open by the people themselves for 
use in bird-catching and fishing. The water in these channels is 
turbid near the shore of the lake but clear and of a yellowish tinge 


| For sections of the cliffs of Seistan see Huntington’s account of ‘‘ The 
Basin of Eastern Persia and Seistan ”, in Explorations in Turkistan (Expedttion 
of 1903), published by the Carnegie Institution of Washington (1905). 

? See Vredenburg, Mem Geol. Surv. Ind. XXXI, p. 179 (1901). 


1919. ] Seistan and the Helmand. 9 


further among the reeds. The bottom is covered with a thin 
layer of peaty material, below which it is malodorous and black. 
It is as arule from four to seven feet deep in the winter season, 
The channels widen out at intervals into open pools of two sorts, 
the larger of which are devoid of phanerogamic plants. Those of 
the smaller sort, which are rarely more than about six to ten yards 
wide, are rather deeper than the channels and are blocked with 
aquatic vegetation. ‘This consists mainly of Potamogeton pectina- 
tus, which with its narrow, grass-like leaves forms fairly dense 
masses from the bottom to the surface. Interspersed with it are 
single plants of P. ferfoliatus, Natas major and Characeae. In 
the channels themselves single plants of P.lucens and at some 
places rather more densely congregated plants of Vallisneria 
spiralis form the only phanerogamic vegetation apart from the 
reeds. 

The reeds act in all the channels and pools as a very effective 
wind-screen, so that even when a blizzard is blowing outside there 
is calm in the reed-beds. They also protect the water to some 
extent from frost. 

_ Immediately outside the reed-beds, towards the open lake, 
there are at some places beds of Potamogeton perfoliatus, but the 
bottom of this part of the lake is usually bare. In calm weather 
the water is clear, but calm is exceptional in Seistan and as a rule 
it is turbid and of a milky appearance. 

All the subaqueous plants of the Hamun are in a more or less 
moribund state in winter, the Vallisneria and Potamogeton pectina- 
tus less so than the rest. Of the other species we found only occa- 
sional living shoots. 

In the southern part of the Hamun-iSabari we made no 
sounding greater than 73 feet, but rather deeper pockets are said 
to exist further north. It will be remembered, moreover, that our 
visit took place at the season at which the lake is almost at its 
lowest. 

From a biological point of view the periodic and occasional 
changes in the level of the lake are of great importance. These 
are produced mainly by two causes, evaporation and changes in 
the supply from the Helmand due chiefly to the rate of melting 
of the snows of the Hindu Kush. The direction of the wind is 
so constant that its effects need not be considered. When it 
ceases to blow the water retreats a little but the result is quite 
temporary. In the year 1885, in which the Hamun was unusually 
full, the water reached its maximum in April, remained at its 
highest level up to the end of May and sank alittle over three feet 
between that month and December. 

In a climate like that of Seistan the loss of water by evapora- 
tion is very considerable in summer-time. The actual rate of 
evaporation apparently differs in different parts of the country in 
correlation with differences in the chemical composition of the 
water, being in the Gaud-i-Zirreh half of what it is in pools in the 
northern parts of Seistan. The whole question, however, is very 


10 Records of the Indian Museum. [VorL. XVIII, 


imperfectly understood and calls for further investigation. By 
calculation about ten feet of surface water should be lost annually 
from this cause in Seistan proper, but observations show that the 
actual amount is considerably less. 

The loss of water through occasional failure of the Helmand 
supply is still more important to the aquatic fauna of the Hamun. 
Both fish and molluscs are said to have been abundant at one time 
in the lake, but it dried up completely in 1871 and again in 1903,! 
and since these dates the fauna is believed to have become much 
impoverished. 

There is only one other kind of body of water to which I need 
refer here, viz. the springs that well up in the stony desert sur- 
rounding Seistan. These springs vary considerably in size and in 
salinity. None of them possess any great volume of water and few 
are quite fresh, the majority containing a more or less strong solu- 
tion of magnesium sulphate, which has a devastating effect on the 
entrails of those who drink the water. An exception to this is to 
be found in the spring at Hurmuk, just across the Persian frontier 
and only a few miles from the point at which those of Persia, 
Afghanistan and Baluchistan meet. The water of this spring, 
which is fairly copious, is fresh and is stated locally to be the best 
in all Iran. Whether they be fresh or salt these springs are usually 
devoid of aquatic vegetation other than algae, at most, as at 
Saindak, having a scanty growth of Potamogeton, but a small 
Scirpus often grows at the edge, and the water is usually edged 
with willow trees (Salix acmophylla), perhaps planted. As-a rule 
there is a small pool, more or less artificial, where the water comes 
out of the earth, with a streamlet or mere trickle passing from it 
into the desert and disappearing at no great distance. 


Origin of the Hamun-i-Helmand. 


It would be out of place in the present paper to discuss the 
geological history of Seistan” in any great detail, but there is one 
problem, that of the age of the Hamun, which has too important a 
bearing on the origin of the aquatic fauna to be entirely ignored. 
It has sometimes been assumed that the Hamun is the shrunken 
relic of a great freshwater lake, which has even been compared to 
the Caspian Sea. AsI have already pointed out (antea, p. 4) the 
existence of a lake of practically fresh water in Seistan is to be 
explained by the peculiar course of the Helmand and by the fact 
that the whole system is occasionally flushed into the Gaud-i-Zir- 
reh, and if, as the body of evidence* seems to show, the whole of 


14 Huntington, E., ‘‘The depression of Seistan in Eastern Persia,’ Bull. 
American Geog. Soc. XX XVII, p. 276 (1905). 

2 See Huntington’s account of ‘‘ The Basin of Eastern Persia and Seistan”’ 
in Explorations in Turkistan (Fxpedition of 1903) published by the Carnegie 
Institution of Washington (1905). 

3 There is an extensive literature on this subject. For a good recent sum- 
mary see the chapter on ‘The Ancient Climate of Iran”’ in Huntington’s book 
‘The Pulse of Asia’’ (London, 1907). Blanford’s volume on the Zoology and 


1919. | Seistan and the Helmand. II 


Eastern Persia and the neighbouring countries have become desic- 
cated in the recent period, we may be certain that the basin of 
the Helmand contained more water at a period geologically not 
remote than it does now. More water must have entered the 
river, there must have been less loss by evaporation and possibly 
less by absorption in recent alluvium. Moreover, the structure of 
the Afghan-Baluch desert leaves little doubt that lakes of consider- 
able area once existed within its confines, even if it never formed 
a single great lake-basin. It needs no great exercise of the ima- 
gination, for example, to believe that the Gaud-1-Zirreh, which is 
over eighty miles long and some twenty miles broad, was once a 
comparatively deep lake, which gradually silted up, as most lakes 
do in the course of time. Further, the clay of which the cliffs at 
J,ab-i-Baring at the edge of the Hamun-i-Sabari (antea, p. 7) are 
composed has all the appearance in its fine texture, uniform struc- 
ture and lack of stratification, of being a lake deposit.! My friend 
Mr. EK. Vredenburg of the Geological Survey of India, who has 
been kind enough to examine specimens of this clay, reports that 
they closely resemble that of certain tertiary deposits in the Siwa- 
liks which he believes to be of lacustrine origin. I have pointed 
out above (p. 8) that, except in being totally devoid of animal 
remains, it closely resembles the deposit now being formed at the 
bottom of the Hamun in the immediate vicinity of the cliffs.? 

This, however, does not prove that the existing Hamun is the 
actual remains of an ancient freshwater lake. All that it indicates 
is that the Hamun occupies part of an old lake-basin. As the 
cliffs are over fifty feet high, this old basin must have contained a 
large body of water and existed for a long period, in order that so 
much silt should have been deposited. 

The structure of the cliffs at this place is uniform except for a 
layer of a few feet on the surface. ‘This layer is composed of dry 
earth more friable than the clay beneath it and full of water-worn 
pebbles, either of limestone or of volcanic origin. The following 
report on specimens of the limestone pebbles by Mr. Vredenburg 
shows that they do not differ from those found in the neighbour- 
ing desert* (with which this layer is, indeed, in continuity both 
structurally and geographically), and that, therefore, they have 
been brought from distant hills by occasional floods and not 
shaped by the waves of a lake. Mr. Vredenburg writes :— 

““The three pebbles of dark-grey limestone contain a few 
specimens of Nummulites atacicus, Leym., a fossil characteristic of 


Geology in Eastern Persia, pp: 448-451, may also be consulted and the reports 
of the Expedition to Central Asia organized by the Carnegie Institution of 
Washington. 

! Huntington, of. cit., 1905, p. 285. 

2 It should be noted in this connection that in the Siwaliks proper of the 
sub-Himalayan area, which were not formed under desert conditions, freshwater 
fossil shells are abundant at certain places. Precise information about the species, 
etc., is, however, still lacking. 

8 See Blanford, op, cit., p- 465 (London, 1876), and Vredenburg, of. cit., 
p- 189. 


12 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


the ‘‘Lybian’”’ division of the eocene, a stage widely developed 
throughout the Mediterranean countries, and intermediate in age 
between the ‘‘ Londinian’”’ and ‘“‘ Parisian”’ of North-Western 
Europe where it is missing. 

‘“'This species is very scantily represented in the pebbles 
under examination, which are crowded with an Alveolina that occurs 
in profusion in the Lybian limestones of India which, conse- 
quently, have frequently been referred to under the name of 
‘“ Alveolina limestones.” Carter (Journ. Bombay Br. Roy. As. 
Soc.,: Vol. V5 p:-234y ploat; tig. 16,9853); and sdArchiae mand 
Haime (Descr. an. foss. groupe numm. Inde., 1854, p. 348) have 
regarded this fossil as specifically identical with A. sphaeroidea, 
Iam. (An. sans vert., 1822, Vol. VII, p. 615), which abounds 
amongst the rocks of the same age in the Pyrenean region. 

“The Alveolina limestone, showing the same dark colour 
as the Seistan pebbles,’ occurs in great abundance in the neigh- 
bourhood of Koh-i-Malik-Siah.’’ 

From this it follows that the deposit of which the cliffs are a 
section must have completely filled up the basin in which it was 
formed, at any rate at the site of the cliffs, and had been covered 
by a layer of entirely different and more recent origin that con- 
stitutes the surface of the desert over a great area in Persia, 
Afghanistan and Baluchistan. 

The lack of animal remains in the clay of the cliffs at Lab-i- 
Baring is a very important difference between it and the deposit 
now being formed in the Hamun in their immediate vicinity. The 
freshwater shells found subfossil in many parts of Seistan are in a 
remarkably good state of preservation, while those of the indi- 
viduals that still live in the Hamun are so free from erosion that 
even in adult individuals of Lamellidens the larval shell of the 
glochidium can often still be distinguished. It is, therefore, very 
improbable that shells, if they had ever existed in the cliffs, would 
have been completely destroyed. The lake of which the cliffs 
represented the bottom can, indeed, hardly have had a molluscan 
fauna. In this respect it resembled most Persian lakes, and the 
reason of its barrenness was the same:—its water was too salt, 
or rather contained too large a proportion of deleterious ? salts in 
solution. The clay of the cliffs is consolidated with mineral salts 
and the little streams that arise in clay hills of exactly the same 
structure and run down through little gorges towards the lake 
contain water of such salinity that the salts crystallize out at their 
margin (postea, p. 15). 

Now, the waters of the Helmand are fresh and those of Seistan 
become saline when they absorb salts from the soil. This was 
brought home to us in a very striking manner at Lab-i-Baring. 


_ | These pebbles have probably been brought by occasional floods from hills 
lying a considerable distance to the west or north-west of the lake. 


? ‘The macroscopic fauna of the saline streams in the cliffs at Lab-i-Baring 
consists of a few small insects. 


1919. | Seistan and the Helmand. 13 


While we were staying there the wind dropped and there was a 
dead calm for three days. The wind had previously been blowing 
from the north, the direction roughly from the point at which the 
Helmand enters the lake, and the water of the Hamun had been 
quite fresh to the taste. As soon as the Helmand water, however, 
ceased to be blown in our direction, that of the Hamun became 
perceptibly brackish. As the present Hamun system has an 
occasional outlet into the Gaud-i-Zirreh and its waters remain, at 
any rate in the Hamun-i-Sabari, fairly fresh because of the scouring 
of the floods, we may suppose that the salts in the soil round the 
basin near Lab-i-Baring are derived from an old lake which had 
no outlet of the kind. 

There is much historical evidence that the outflow of the 
Helmand has moved northwards in recent times. For example, 
there are ruined cities in the south of Seistan where there is now 
no water at all, while ruins are exposed in the bed of the Hamun- 
i-Sabari in times of exceptionally low water. In its course through 
the desert the river has gradually cut for itself a deep bed. Before 
it did so its course may have been quite other than it is now, and 
the filling up and desiccation of lake-beds may have been corre- 
lated in a complex manner with changes in level. It is by no 
means improbable on general grounds that the river, as the Jordan 
does now, once terminated in a saline lake which was practically 
lifeless. Indeed, there is evidence that it did so in the historical 
period. I have to thank Mr. Vredenburg for the following note 
on this point :— 

“With regard to the change in the course of the Helmand, it 
seems possible that the northward bend at the Band-i-Kamal Khan 
may be partly artificial. From the historical evidence of Arab 
geographers, this spot must correspond with the original head of 
the delta which, originally, therefore, would have spread mainly 
over Southern Seistan and would have communicated more directly 
than it does now with the Zirreh Lake. It is nevertheless con- 
ceivable that the diversion may have been natural or partly 
natural; the shifting beds of the distributaries, both natural and 
attificial, being gradually raised by the deposition of silt, a process 
which might have gradually involved the whole of Southern 
Seistan till the main body of the Helmand found an easier course 
northward. The present Hamun-i-Sabari, in its present relatively 
extended form, would be therefore quite modern—as shown, indeed, 
by the ruined city in its bed; though a comparatively small and 
intermittent pool may have previously been formed by the flood- 
waters of the Farah-Rud. It is also quite conceivable that, as it 
became increasingly difficult to keep open the irrigation channels 
in Southern Seistan, the Helmand may have heen artificially 
deflected northwards over the more easily watered northern tract. 

‘‘ So long as the delta spread chiefly over Southern Seistan, the 
Zitreh Lake must have been much more obviously and much more 
permanently than it is now the true termination of the Helmand 
system. The true relic of the large prehistoric lake alluded to by 


14 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XVIII, 


Dr. Annandale would therefore be represented by the Zirreh Lake 
and not by the adventitious bodies of water in Northern Seistan, 
which, in their present form, are perhaps not more than six or 
seven centuries old. 

‘‘ Whether the Shelagh is the original outlet of the whole body 
of water in times of exceptional flood also appears somewhat 
doubtfui, and it is also quite possible that it has acquired its 
present importance within late historical times as a result of the 
silting up of the eastern portion of Southern Seistan. Originally 
the exceptional floods need not have collected as they do now in 
a single channel, but may have reached the Zirreh Lake directly 
through the various distributaries of a delta. Much more informa- 
tion than is at present available would be necessary to settle these 
various points which nevertheless are of great importance and 
interest from the various points of view of history, geology and 
physical geography.’’ 

The fauna of the Hamun shows no evidence of ancient origin, 
or of evolution in a great lake. It is a very poor fauna, as may be 
seen most readily by comparing it with that of the lake of Tiberias, 
in which the water is actually salter though other conditions are 
rather more favourable. From the Lake of Tiberias! twenty-five 
species of fish are known, from the Hamun only two; from the 
former at least fifteen species of molluscs, from the latter only 
five; from the former two species of Polyzoa, from the latter the 
same number; from the former five species of sponges, from the 
latter two. Moreover, the fauna of the Seistan Lake is by no 
means a highly specialized one. The fish belong to genera com- 
mon either in the mountains of central Asia or in those of North- 
western India, the molluscs are closely related to widely-distributed 
Palaearctic forms, the sponges are cosmopolitan, while the Polyzoa 
are closely related either to tropical or to cosmopolitan forms. 
Had this fauna been lineally descended from that of a great lake, 
I cannot believe that it would have shown no trace of its origin.’ 
Moreover, subfossil shells found in the neighbourhood of the 
Hamun are identical with the recent ones. 

From all these facts and lines of argument it seems to me 
evident, firstly that the Hamun occupies in part the bed of an old 
salt lake, secondly that it has only a casual connection with that 
lake, and thirdly that in its present state it is of recent origin. 
There has been no biological continuity between the old lake and 
the recent one. I am not particularly concerned with the history 
and origin of the former, but I suppose that they were similar to 
those of other lakes in Persia.’ 


1 Annandale, YFourn. and Proc. As. Soc. Bengal (New Series), Vol. > IF 
Nos. 10 and 11, p. 437 (1915). 

2 See Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XIV, p. 172 (1918). 

® See the works of Blanford and Huntington already cited, and also de 
Morgan’s note in Revue de L’Ecole D' Anthropologie for 1907 (Paris), pp. 214—- 
215. 


1919. ] Seistan and the Helmand. 15 


The Water of Seistan. 


We collected a considerable number of samples of water in the 
Hamun-i-Sabari and other bodies of water in Seistan, but unfor- 
tunately several of the bottles were broken on our journey. By 
the kindness of Dr. H. H. Hayden, F.R.S., Director of the Geo- 
logical Survey of India, the samples that remain have been examined 


in the laboratory of that department. 
to ensure an accurate and detailed analysis, 
sufficient clearness the general character of the salts present. 


They are not sufficient 
but indicate with 


Our 


sample of water from the Shelagh river was lost, but one of the 
salts crystallized on its shore has been analysed. 


The following are the results :-— 


Analysis of Water Samples trom Setstan. 


From south shore 
of Hamun about 


From a small sa- | 


line stream run- | From edge of Ha- 


ning down to but | 


mun about one 


i a aoe oe not quite reach- | mile north of Lab- 
Bet ae Eich ing the Hamun. | i-Baring. On 
b et ae on About a mile and| stony shore be- 
h = ane mueey | halfmorthiot bab= les low clits 
SORE i- Baring. 
Quantity received 560 c.c. 500 c.c. 470 C.c. 
Given in grammes per 1000 €.C¢. 
AlgO3 and Fe2Os nil Trace nil 
(ee ae 0°0496 0°8629 _ 0°0345 
MgO | 0°2220 2°4476 O'1542 
Alkalies weighed 
as chlorides 1°4640 20°2650 0*9100 
Na,O o'721 10°683 0°313 
K,0 . 0'0664 0°009 0'201 
Cie: 0°5293 10°8985 0°3399 
SO, 0°4759 5°2136 0°2948 
Suspended matter 


0°0426 grammes 


| O'1200 grammes 


| 0°0872 grammes. 


Analysis of Salt from the edge of Shelagh River, near Girdhv, 


Seistan. 
Amount insoluble in boiling water 29°78 
Al,O, and Fe,O, o°Io 
cam 4°64 
Mg 0°27 
Na 13°10 
K 2°57 
Ch x: 15°62 
SO, 22°39 
co, Tks 
Water of Composition 10°75 


Total 


16 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vou XVIII, 1919.] 


From this report it is evident that considerable amounts of 
salt are present even in waters that are potable, as that of the 
Hamun near Lab-i-Baring; that the salt is not merely sodium 
chloride but of mixed composition, and that its composition varies 
greatly even inthe same part of the Hamun in different circum- 
stances. I have already noted the changes in salinity produced in 
the water by a cessation of the normal wind (p. 13, antea). In 
both samples from the Hamun salts of sodium are the most 
prevalent, but salts of magnesium, which are usually more dele- 
terious to animal life, are present in considerable quantity, and in 
one sample those of potassium are also fairly well represented. 

The sample of water from the small stream was taken about a 
hundred yards up from the beach of the lake, in a little gully in 
the clay cliffs. The stream was a very small one and rose in 
clay among small hills at no great distance from the lake. We 
may take it as representing a solution of the soluble salts in the 
clay of the cliffs. 

The salt from the margin of the Shelagh river, on the one 
hand, represents the offscouring! of the whole Hamun system. 
Here magnesium is poorly represented, while both sodium and 
potassium are present in fairly large amounts. 

We have as yet no data, therefore, to estimate the differen- 
tial effect of water of different chemical composition on the 
aquatic fauna of different parts of Seistan, and, indeed, to arrive 
at any results of the kind would necessitate a very long and arduous 
investigation carried out through the seasons and under all pos- 
sible conditions of flood and the reverse. All that can be said is 
that the aquatic fauna throughout the country lives in abnormal 
and variable types of environment so far as the composition of 
the water is concerned. 


! It cannot, however, be composed of the same proportions of the different 
salts that occur in the water in solution, for some salts crystallize out before others. 


a 


ats 7 sriponiaty , “while ; 
melee <r es 
Sebook tania = 


a he Fae: om - 
i 0 7 Troe, 


2 a @ K 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE I. 
MAP OF SEISTAN AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY. 


Bodies of water that are permanent or practically so are 
shown densely dotted, while areas that are periodically or occa- 
sionally flooded are indicated by broken transverse lines. 


Most of the water-courses marked on the map are usually 
dry. 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL, XVIII. 1919, Plate |. 


WA 
FO alaale iKSIAH 
*~. 


A, Chowdhary del, 


" 


— 
* yi heal eat is rae 2 


Ines vetlel 
if P 


_ 


a 


i 
a 6 ais! i 


a j 
> a : 
~ Gx Ray 28 Feit 2708, 


- i 
ee ta MY) Ty!) 


ieee: 
1 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE II. 


CLIFF ON THE WESTERN SHORE OF THE HAMUN-I-HELMAND 


NEAR LAB-I-BARING. DECEMBER, I918. 


The photograph was taken on a calm day two days after the 
wind had fallen. 


SoH 


BY 


a ae Rae od 


Uniform lacustrine deposit of stiff clay. 

Superficial layer of more friable earth and water-worn 
pebbles. 

Blocks of clay fallen from the cliff. 

Beach of water-worn pebbles derived from superficial 
layer of cliff. 

Normal flood-level marked by fragments of reeds and 
other vegetable debris. 

Winter water-level in windy weather. 

Water-level after two days’ calm. 

Footpath. 

Reed-beds. 


PRrAP ET), 


UU aTAIA 


PLATE II. 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. 


| JO SOA 84 JO SAO 944 Ye pau 


d oY porrisuo-0joud 


‘si6L “99 “ONIYVE-I-GV1 YVAN NNAWVH 


- ojOYd ‘duweay AAS 


25 


|. a 


Dead 


or 


ag 


THE MOLLUSCA OF THE INLAND WATERS 
OF BALUCHISTAN AND OF SEISTAN. 


(With Plates ITI—VIII). 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., &.A.S.B., Director, Zoological Survey of 
India, and BAInt PRASHAD, D.Sc., Offg. Directory of Fisheries, 
Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, with a note on the Liver-Fluke of 
Sheep in Seistan, by S. W. Kemp, B.A., Superintendent, Zoo 
logical Survey of India. 


In studying the aquatic Mollusca of Seistan we have found 
it necessary to study also those of Baluchistan, from certain parts 
of which abundant material was available. These parts are the 
hill-country of the Quetta and Pishin districts in Northern Balu- 
chistan, in which one of us collected the material himself, the 
great Baluch-Afghan desert, in which a collection was made by 
Dr. N. Annandale and Mr. S. W. Kemp, and Persian Baluchistan, 
in which, many years ago, the late Dr. W. T. Blanford! obtained 
many specimens now in the Indian Museum. We have seen no 
shells from the British district of Mekran, which, however, marches 
with Persian Baluchistan on the west, from Las Bela and the 
neighbouring states, or from the Indus plain south of Sibi, in 
which the fauna is probably quite Indian. 

The following is a list of the species and varieties now known, 
arranged according to the classification set forth by Pelseneer in 
Lankester’s Treatise on Zoology, Vol. V (1906). 

List of Freshwater Molluscs of Baluchistan and Seistan. 


é 
Gastropoda. 


PECTINIBRANCHIA. 
Fam. Hydrobiidae. 
Amnicola (Alocinma) sistanica, sp. Seistan. 


nov. 

? Amnicola parvula (Hutton). N. Baluchistan. 
Fam. Viviparidae. 

Vivipara hilmandensts, Kobelt. Seistan ; Afghan desert. 
Fam. Melaniidae. 

Melanoides pyramts (Hutton). N. Baluchistan. 


M. pyramts var. flavida (Nevill). |W. Baluchistan. 
M. pyramis var. luteomarginata Persian Baluchistan;  S. 
(Nevill). Persia. 


! All the zoological collections made by Dr. Blanford and labelled ‘“ Baluchis- 
are from this district, in which there happens to be a place called Pishin. 


tan”’ 


18 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XVIII, 


M. tugrina (Hutton). N. Baluchistan. 
M. scabra var. elegans (Hutton). N. Baluchistan. 
Melanopsis deserticola, sp. nov. Persian Baluchistan. 
PULMONATA. 
Fam. Limnaeidae. 
Limnaea persica, Issel. Baluchistan desert; S. Per- 
sla. 
Limnaea tvanica, sp. nov. Persian Baluchistan. 
Limnaea bactriana, Hutton. N. Baluchistan ; Seistan. 
Limnaea gedrosiana, sp. nov. Do. do. 
L. gedrosiana var. rectilabrum, nov. Do. do. 
Limnaea truncatula, Gray. ~ _N,. Baluchistan. 
Limnaea hordeum, Mousson. Seistan. 


Fam. Planorbidae. 
Gyraulus convextusculus (Hutton). N. Baluchistan; Seistan. 


Gyvaulus euphraticus, Mousson. Do. do. 
Segmentina calathus (Benson). Seistan. 
Lamellibranchia. 


Fam. Unionidae. 
Lamellidens marginaits, subsp. Seistan ; Afghan desert. 
vyhadinaeus, subsp. nov. 
Fam. Cyrenidae, 
Corbicula fluminalis (Miller). Baluchistan ; Seistan. 
2 Pisidium paludosum, Hutton. N. Baluchistan. 


GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 


The molluscs to be considered in this paper come mainly 
from three districts, (1) the hill-country of Baluchistan watered 
(so far as it is watered at all) by the Lora or Pishin river, which 
has more or less saline water and makes its way down to the 
desert, where it disappears in the Zanginawar lakes ; (2) Seistan, 
the delta and basin of the Helmand river, which rises in the Hindu 
Kush a considerable distance to the north of Baluchistan and 
passes a great body of fresh water, and (3) Persian Baluchistan, a 
mountainous district lying some considerable distance south ot 
Seistan and reaching to the Arabian Sea. These three districts 
are separated by the great Afghan-Baluch desert, through which 
the Helmand flows. As even the desert is not devoid of aquatic 
molluses, we have actually four districts to consider. 

MOLLUSCA OF THE HILI-COUNTRY OF BALUCHISTAN. The 
molluscs of this district were described seventy years ago by 
Hutton, and we have no species to add to his list, though we do 
not accept all his identifications. The forms known from this 
district are: 


Melanoides pyramis. Melanoides scabra var. elegans. 
Melanoides tigrina. ? Amnicola parvula. 


1919. ] N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHaD: Mollusca. 19 


Limnaea bactriana. Limnaea truncatula. 

Limnaea gedrostana. Gyraulus convextusculus. 

Limnaea gedrostana vat. rectilab- Gyraulus euphraticus. 
yum. Corbicula fluminalis. 


2? Pisidium paludosum. 


MoLLuUscA OF THE AFGHAN-BALUCH DESERT. ‘The following 
forms have been found in this desert :-— 


Melanoides pyramis var. flavida. Gyraulus euphraticus. 


Vivipara hilmandensis. Corbicula fluminalts. 
Limnaea persica. Lamellidens marginalis subsp. 
rhadinaeus. 


MoLLusca OF SEISTAN. In the alluvial plain of Seistan the 
following forms occur :— 


Amntcola (Alocinma) ststanica. Gyraulus convexiusculus. 

Vivipara hilmandensis. Gyraulus euphraticus. 

Limnaea bactriana. Segmentina calathus. 

Limnaea gedrosiana. Corbicula fuminalis. 

Limnaea gedrosiana vat. rectilab- Lamellidens marginalis subsp. 
yum. - vhadinaeus. 


Limnaea hordeum. 


Mortiusca OF PERSIAN BALUCHISTAN. Most of the molluscs 
known from this district were obtained by the late Dr. W. T. 
Blanford, but Mr. W. J. Good has recently added an interesting 
species. The following is a list of the known forms :— 


Melanordes pyramis var. flavida. Melanoides scabra. 
Melanoides pyramis var. luteo- - Melanopsis deserticola. 
marginata. Limnaea tranica. 


Of the lists, those of the species of the hill-country of Balu- 
chistan and of Seistan are probably the most complete. Moreover, 
these two are very similar and the discrepancies between them are 
probably more apparent than real. In the Seistan list five (out of 
eleven) specific names are, indeed, present that are absent from 
the other, viz. Amnicola sistanica, Vivipara lilmandensis, Limnaea 
hordeum, Segmentina calathus and Lamellidens marginalis. The 
Vivipara, however, seems to be essentially a fluviatile species, 
probably unable to live in any but pure fresh water, and rivers 
with pure fresh water (or water of auy kind) are proverbially 
scarce in Baluchistan; the Limnaea, which is also known from 
Mesopotamia, is exceedingly rare; Segmentina calathus, which is 
not uncommon at some places in the plains of North-western India, 
is local in its distribution, and the bivalve, though not yet found 
in Baluchistan, is common (in a distinct racial form) in the 
neighbouring country of Afghanistan. Of the species probably 
common to the two countries this bivalve is the only one in which 
even subspecific distinction is possible, but several others (e.g. 
Limnaea gedrosiana) exhibit slight local dfferences. Ammicola 
sistanica is the only species probably peculiar to Seistan, and 


20 Records of the Indian Museum. Vor. XVILE 


Limnaea hordeum (otherwise known only from lower Mesopo- 
tamia) the only true western form. 

The Helmand, which, so far as the aquatic fauna is concerned, 
is the connecting link and the only highway for aquatic animals 
between the mountains of Baluchistan and eastern Afghanistan 
and the Seistan basin (or, indeed, between Seistan and all other 
countries), has naturally a molluscan fauna identical with that of 
the basin into which it flows. In the small springs of the desert, 
the water of most of which is more or less saline, only a few very 
tolerant species (e.g. Gyraulus euphraticus and Corbicula fluminalis, 
both of great geographical range) can live, and we found but one 
form (Melanoides pyramis var. flavida) probably peculiar to situa- 
tions of the kind. It occurs in Persian Baluchistan as well as the 
Afghan-Baluch desert. Limnaea persica has only been found as 
yet in the southern part of the Persian plateau and in the basin 
of the Lora river in the eastern part of the desert. 

The molluscan fauna of Persian Baluchistan is still imperfectly 
known, but the inclusion of a species of Melanopsis indicates the 
presence of a true western Asiatic element absent from other parts 
of the area under consideration. 

The general absence of this western Asiatic element is per- 
haps the most striking feature of the fauna considered as a whole. 
Another point to be noted is the absence of certain large and con- 
spicuous Palaearctic forms (e.g. Limnaea stagnalis) common in 
Kashmir at altitudes no higher than those of the Quetta district. 
This, however, does not imply that the fauna is essentially Ori- 
ental in the strict zoogeographical sense, for conditions of life are 
clearly inimical to large forms. The fauna is a starved one in 
which only species of great adaptability can survive. Such mol- 
luscs as Vivipara hilmandensis and Lamellidens marginalis, though 
evidently of Oriental origin, have spread into Palaearctic districts 
on the limits of their range, while the species of Limnaea, though 
here described as distinct, have a clear Palaearctic facies and most 
of them are probably descended from Palaearctic rather than true 
Indian forms, from which they differ considerably in all but one 
instance. The species of Gyraulus and Segmentina, though they 
occur in Oriental districts, are closely related to and probably de- 
rived from European forms. 

The molluscan fauna of Seistan and Baluchistan, therefore, 
has little true geographical significance. 


BIONOMICS. 


The bionomics of the molluscan fauna of the inland waters of 
Baluchistan and Seistan are perhaps more interesting than its 
geographical distribution, but here again characters are negative. 
The fauna is one that lives habitually in water of abnormal 
chemical composition, for even potable water in these countries 
contains far more than its usual allowance of mineral salts (see 
p. 15, antea). ‘The molluscs have not, however, responded to the 


1919. ] N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHaD: Mollusca. 25 


chemical stimulus with the facility sometimes associated with this 
factor in their environment, and are not particularly plastic or 
variable or at all exuberant in shell-sculpture. This is probably 
because other conditions are unfavourable—extremes of tempera- 
ture, drought and lack of food—and the struggle for existence is 
too keen. The composition of the water has, indeed, had one 
effect, physical rather than biological, in preserving such sculp- 
ture as the shells possess intact from erosion. Probably it has 
acted indirectly, by discouraging the growth of corroding algae. 
But, even so, the Limnaeae do not develop the strong longitudi- 
nal ribs formed on the shells of those that live in saline waters 
in North America.! 

The shells of all the species of Gastropods are small and in 
most cases very thin. They are of perfect form, neither distorted 
nor abnormal in other respects. Their colours, both of shell and 
soft parts, are pale. They constitute, in fact, alimited but very 
normal paludine fauna such as might be found in any temperate 
region. 

No peculiar lacustrine species or even well-marked phases have 
as yet been evolved in the Hamun-i-Helmand. 

In Seistan the recent geological history of the country has 
been of such a nature that subfossil shells are extremely abun- 
dant nearly everywhere except in the central parts of old lake- 
basins, while owing to the annual floods enormous numbers of 
quite recent shells are scattered over the country. In the deposits, 
both recent and historically ancient, examined both in the 
northern and the southern districts only two species. were found 
(Limnaea hordeum, evidently a scarce form, and Segmentina cala- 
thus, a widely distributed but somewhat sporadic one) which were 
not found living in the country. The absence of Melantidae from 
these deposits was a noteworthy feature. The commonest species 
in them at most places were Amnicola sistanica, Limnaea gedro- 
siana, Gyraulus convexiusculus, G. euphraticus and Corbicula 
fuminalis. At some spots, evidently those reached with fair 
regularity by recent floods, Lamellidens marginalis was also 
present in large numbers, and at one place Vivipara hilmandensis 
was common. 

An interesting question in the bionomics of freshwater mol- 
lusecs in a country like those under consideration is that of hiber- 
nation and aestivation and their effect on sexual activity. We 
give evidence below that certain species (mainly those of the 
genera Melanoides, Corbicula and Lamellidens) burrow into mud 
or sand either at the approach of winter or on the sinking of the 
annual floods. Perhaps this is also true of Amnicola ststanica. 
The Limnaeidae and Planorbidae, however, remain active through- 
out the winter. In Seistan and northern Baluchistan, and also at 
certain places in the North West Frontier Province, the eggs of 


ae Baker, Chicago Academy of Sciences, special publication 3, p. 30 
IQI1). 


22 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIIE, 


Limnaea were observed in great abundance in November, Decem- 
ber and January, and in females killed at this time of the year 
the female part of the reproductive organs was found to be in a 
state of activity. No individuals were, however, observed paired, 
and the male part of the hermaphrodite gland seems to be aborted. 
It is probable, therefore, that Limnaea is protandric in the pecu- 
liar conditions which exist in Seistan and Baluchistan, that pairing 
takes place in summer, and that the spermatozoa are stored up for 
considerable periods. 


PARASITES AND INCOLAE. 


The main object of the tour on the collections of which this 
paper is mainly based was to discover what could be discovered 
about the distribution of the aquatic molluscs and their trematode 
parasites in reference to the etiology of the disease Bilharziasis or 
Schistosomiasis. Living molluscs were examined in the field by 
Mr. S. W. Kemp, who has been kind enough to supply us with 
the following information. His examinations were made in Nov- 
ember and December. 

The only molluscs in which trematodes were found in water 
brackish to the taste was Melanoides pyramis var. flavida. Of 
twenty-five individuals of this form from a small water-course at 
Saindak in the western part of the Baluchistan desert one was 
infected by the voung rediae (indeterminate) probably of a Xiph- 
idocercarta. ‘The water was potable but tasted salt and bitter. 

Sixty specimens of Limnaea gedrosiana from the reed-beds 
of the Hamun near Lab-i-Baring were examined and none found 
infected. Of another sixty of the var. rectilabrum of the same 
species from a small pool in the desert near Nasratabad only one 
was parasitized, its parasite being a small cercaria of the family 
Schistosomatidae. One hundred specimens of L. bactriana (fifty 
of the long-spired and fifty of the short-spired form) were examined 
at Nasratabad, from an irrigation channel. Ten contained tre- 
matode cercariae; in eight of these the parasite was a large 
monostome, while in one it was a Schistosomatid (apparently the 
same species found in L. gedvosiana) and in one the infection was 
a mixed infection of these two parasites. 

Seventy-four specimens of Gyvaulus convextuscuius from the 
reed-beds of the Hamun were examined and seven were found 


infected by Trematodes, two by indeterminate elongate sporocysts, 


three by Schistosomatid cercariae without eyespots and two by 
similar fork-tailed cercariae with eyespots. Only two specimens 
of Gyraulus euphraticus were examined, from the same locality; 
one was uninfected, while the other contained Schistosomatid cer- 
cariae without eyespots, apparently of the same species as was 
found in G. convexiusculus. 

The Schistosomatid cerearia found in aquatic Pulmonate 
molluscs in Seistan does not appear to belong to any of the 
species known to parasitize man. A liver-fluke of the genus 
Fasciola (s.s.) is common in that country, but its cercariae were 


1gIQ. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PRasHAD: Mollusca. 23 


not found, probably because their incidence is seasonal. Mr. 
Kemp has given us a note on this species (f. gigantea) which is ap- 
pended to our paper. He hopes to describe all other parasites later. 

Small red nematodes were common in Gyvaulus convexiusculus 
in the Hamun in December. 

The Oligochaete worm Chaetogaster was found in abundance 
at the edge of the mantle and in the branchial chamber of Lim- 
naea gedrosiana var. rectilabrum in a pool in the desert near Nasrat- 
abad in the same month. Col. Stephenson has identified the worm 
as Ch. bengalensis, Annandale, a species common in Northern India. 


SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT OF THE FAUNA. 
Class GASTROPODA, 
Fam. HYDROBIIDAE. 


1915. Paludestrinidae, Preston, Faun. Brit. Ind., Freshw Moll., p. 67, 
1919. Paludestrinidae, Godwin-Austen, Rec. Ind. Mus. XVI, p, 209. 


Genus Amnicola, Gould and Haldeman. 
1865. Amnicola, Stimpson, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 201, p. 12. 


The excellent account of this genus given in the work cited 
enables us to relegate to their proper genus certain Indian, 
Burmese and Persian species that have usually been placed in 
Bithynia. These species, however, differ in some respects from 
the American forms—sufficiently in our opinion to be regarded as 
constituting a new subgenus, for which we propose the name :— 


Subgenus Alocinma, nov. 


The shell agrees precisely with that of the American A mnicola 
and the Palaearctic Pseudamnicola, being globose or subglobose 
or slightly elongate, imperforate or subumbilicate, small, thick 
and smooth, with swollen whorls and having its mouth oval or 
ovate with a continuous but not greatly thickened peristome. 
The animal has a relatively short foot, which projects very little 
if at all beyond the shell. It is rounded or pointed behind and 
angulate in front. The snout is long and narrow. ‘The tentacles 
are hardly longer than the shell, thin and filiform, and bear the 
eyes, which are small, at their base externally. The edge of the 
mantle is simple. The penis is large, flattened, lunate in outline 
and provided with a long and stout lateral process, which projects 
on the left side from its concave margin almost at right angles. 
It is situated almost in the middle of the ‘‘ neck.’’ The opercu- 
lum 1s of large size, and incapable of withdrawal into the shell, 
thick and calcareous but usually hyaline or subhyaline, distinctly 
spiral and with a siightly eccentric nucleus, but ornamented round 
the margin with concentric lines. ; 


24 Records of the Indian Museum. [VOL. XVIII, 


The radula is very like that of Amnicola, s.s., its central tooth 
being produced at either side and bearing a central process on its 
disk which projects downwards below its lower margin, as well as 
two or three lateral basal denticulations on each side. 

Type-species. Ammicola ststanica, sp. nov. 

This new subgenus is very closely related to Amnicola, s.s., 
but differs in its long snout, calcareous oval or ovoid operculum 
and lunate penis. From Pseudamnicola it differs in its much 
larger, spiral operculum and in having more than one basal denti- 
culation on each side of the central tooth of the radula. It is, 
indeed, a link between the two groups of species, each of which 
we regard as having subgeneric rank. 


(B= 
Woe 


Fic. 1.—Radular teeth of Amnicola { X 500). 


A. Teeth of Amnicola (Alocinma) sistanica, sp. nov., from the reed-beds 
of the Hamun-i-Helmand. 

B. Teeth of Amnicola (Alocinma) alticola (Annandale), from the Inlé 
Lake, Southern Shan States. 


Among the species that must be placed in the new subgenus 
are the common “‘ Bithynia’’ orcula of Bengal and also Ammnicola 
alticola (fig. IB) from the Southern Shan States. In the former 
as well as the latter the operculum is distinctly spiral and both 
have the other subgeneric characters. 


Amnicola (Alocinma) sistanica, sp. nov. 
(Pl. iti, figs. 1-5.) 


This species is very closely related to Amnicota orcula, but the 
shell is more hyaline and more globose and has the suture more 
oblique and more impressed. It may be described as follows :— 


1919. ] N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHap: Mollusca. 25 


The shell is small, ovato-conical, short, broad and obese, with 
five whorls, fairly thick but naturally quite colourless and hyaline, 
rapidly, however, becoming milky after the death of the animal, 
polished and ornamented with delicate longitudinal striae on the 
surface. ‘The suture is impressed and very oblique, so that the 
spire is much longer in dorsal than in ventral view. The whorls 
increase rapidly in size and are highly convex; they are flattened 
outside the suture but rounded externally. The apex is minute 
but blunt and flattened. The basal whorl in ventral view is at 
least nearly three times as long as the spire, but these proportions 
are variable The mouth is large and somewhat expanded, ob- 
lique, never much longer than broad, ovate, rounded or bluntly 
pointed above and broadly rounded below. The peristome is con- 
tinuous and there is a band-like callus on the inner lip. The 
outer lip is hardly thickened, but distinctly though slightly 
flattened and very narrowly retroverted; its inner corner is sub- 
angulate. The umbilicus is rimate and the columellar callus is 
expanded over it. The columella is straight. 


Measurements of Shells (in millemetres). 
A BB” Coppa: F 


Length af 105 8°27 Oaeemns 38 
Breadth 42>, 5:2 Ort Ae ee 2°7 
enagrivolumouth ~... 275: 3° 13:7) 32es2 ame 
Breadthormouth .. “2, =2°6 2:6 273592 I'5 


The operculum, which cannot be retracted into the shell, is 
when fresh of glassy transparency. It has three whorls. The 
nucleus is situated some distance from the antero-internal border, 
The shape is ovate, broadly rounded anteriorly and bluntly pointed 
posteriorly. 

The radula is of the type normal in Ammnicola, s.s. The cen- 
tral tooth is small and transverse, produced at each side into a 
bluntly pointed, narrow process, which points downwards and a 
little outwards. The disk bears a large quadrate raised area and 
a series of basal denticulations at each side, remote from both 
the lateral and the basal margin. In each series there are two 
distinct denticulations and an obscure, imperfectly developed ex- 
ternal one. The upper margin of the tooth is slightly concave. The 
central cusp is enlarged and there are several smaller denticula- 
tions on each side of it; all are triangular, at least as long as broad 
at the base, and pointed at the tip. The lateral tooth is broad 
above but slender towards the base. It bears numerous small 
sharp cusps, the central one of which is slightly enlarged on the 
inner lateral. This tooth bears a broad blunt process on its disk 
and has its inner margin broadly and irregularly emarginate below. 
The outer marginal is very long and narrow, but broadens some- 
what at the base. Its cusps are very minute and sharp. 

The intromittent organ of the male is of relatively large size 
and distinctly flattened. Its external (right) margin is semi-circu- 


26 Records of the Indian Museum. PWor. VILE 


lar and its internal margin concave in the same degree. The tip is 
pointed. The internal margin bears near its middle a long straight 
process terminating in a crateriform sucker-like structure, from the 
centre of which protrudes an elongate muscular papilla. The main 
body is smooth, the process obscurely annulate. Before entering 
the penis the vas deferens is highly convoluted and would be of 
immense length if unravelled. In the penis it pursues a sinuous 
course near the concave margin and remains distinct nearly to the 
aperture at the tip of the organ. The outer part of the penis 
appears to be glandular internally, but is provided with a well- 
developed layer of transverse muscle fibres externally. 

The living animal was thus described in the field :—‘‘ Animal 
white with black clouding and minute goiden yellow specks on the 
mantle; a suffusion of black pigment on the snout and tentacles. 
Tentacles slender, when fully expanded no longer than shell. Eyes 
small, black, prominent, situated near the base of the tentacles 


Fic. 2.—Male intromittent organ of Amnicola (Alocinma) sistanica, sp. nov. 
( X 20), seen from below. 


a.p.=accessory appendage: g.=glandular region: v.d.=vas deferens. 


externally. Snout rather long and narrow, with parallel sides, 
slightly notched in front. Foot relatively small, rounded in front 
and bluntly angulate at the anterior corners, bluntly pointed 
behind.” 

Type-spectmens. M 11538/2, Zoological Survey of India (Ind. 
Mus.). 

Distribution. All over the dry Nazzar or reed-country of nor- 
thern Seistan shells of this species are common in the soil, as they 
are also in the debris of floods. We found fresh shells in the 
larger pools in the reed-beds of the Hamun near Lab-i-Baring and 
a few living individuals among the algae on the roots of Phragmites 
in narrow channels in the same beds.. . 

These living individuals, which were very scarce, were all 
small and were only found in. protected situations. Very large 
numbers of the mollusc evidently perish annually with the sinking 
of the floods and the majority of those that survive probably bur- 
row into the mud and hibernate in winter. 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PrAsHap: Mollusca. 29, 


The shell of this species bears a close resemblance, perhaps 
superficial, to that of the Syrian ‘‘Paludina ’’ badiella as figured 
by Ktister,! but the mouth is broader, the umbilicus narrower, 
the whorls less flattened above and pigment entirely absent. There 
has been much confusion about this Syrian species and we have 
no means of estimating the true relationship, if any exists, be- 
tween it and our Seistan mollusc. There is also a resemblance 
to Pseudamnicola macrostoma from Greece, specimens of which we 
have examined ; but the operculum of that species is much thinner, 
of different structure and of small size as compared with the mouth 
of the shell, which is much smaller than that of the Persian species. 


? Amnicola parvula (Hutton). 


1850. eG oon parvula, Hutton, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal (2) XVIII, 
5 LOSS) 

1876. ee, parvula, Hanley and Theobald, Conch. Ind., p. XVII, 
pl. cli, figs. 8, 9. 

We have not seen this species and have no means of ascertain- 
ing its true generic and subgeneric position. Hutton says that the 
operculum is horny, and it would appear, therefore, to belong pos- 
sibly to Amnicola, s.s. The other known species of this subgenus 
are, however, American. Nevill’s* Bithynia orcula var. parvula is 
quite distinct and probably a true variety of Amnicola (Alocinma) 
orcula (| Frauenfeld). 

Hutton’s species was found in a marshy patch of ground in 
the Kojak Pass at Chaman (Chammun), now on the Afghan fron- 
tier of Northern Baluchistan. | 


) 


Family VIVIPARIDAE. 
Genus Vivipara, Montfort. 


Vivipara hilmendensis, Kobelt. 


190g. Vivipara (dissimilis var.?) hilmendensis, Kobelt, Paludina in 
Martini and Chemnitz’s Conch-Cab. (ed. Ktister and Kobelt), 
p- 289, pl. lix, figs. g-12. 

The complete synonymy of the forms included by Kobelt 
under the name Vivipara dissimilis has not yet been worked out, 
and we leave the Helmand form provisionally as a distinct species. 
We have very little to add to Kobelt’s description except that 
the natural colour of the shell is dark olivaceous with curious round 
whitish spots, and that the opercula of the specimens he examined 
were unnaturally thin owing perhaps to sand erosion. 

The species was described from the Afghan desert and is 


1 Kuster, “ Paludina, Hydrocena and Valvata in Martini and Chemnitz's 
Conch. Cab. (ed. Schubert and Wagner), p. 62, pl. xi, figs. 25-28 (1852). 
2 Nevill, Hand List Moll. Ind. Mus. U1, p. 37 (1885). 


28 Records of the Indian Museum. _[Vor. XVIII, 


evidently rare in most parts of Seistan. Single fairly fresh but 
empty shells were collected at the edge of pools near Nasratabad 
and Jellalabad and at that of the Hamun near Lab-i-Baring, while 
a considerable number of bleached specimens were also observed 
in the soil of occasionally flooded country near Chilling towards 
the south of Seistan. It is not improbable, therefore, that V. 
hilmendensis is common on the banks of the lower Helmand and is 
essentially a fluviatile species. 

Tvpe-series. M 5087/1, Zoological Survey of India (Ind. 
Mus.). 


Family MELANIIDAE. 


Melanoides, Olivier. 


1807. Melanoides, Olivier, Voy. l’Emp. Ottoman II, p. 40. 

1854. Plotia, N. and A. Adams, Gen. Rec. Moll., p. 295. 

1874. Plotia+Striatella (? in part), Brot, Melanztaceen in Martini and 
Chemnitz, Conch. Cab. (ed. Kuster), p. 7. 

1897. Melanoides+ Plotia, v. Martens, ‘‘ Suss. und Brackw. Moll.’’, pp. 
50, 62 in Weber’s Zool. Ergebn. Niederl.-Ost-Indien 1V. 

1898. Neomelanien, P. and F. Sarasin, Sussw. Moll. Celebes, p. 38. 

1915. Striatellat+Plotia, Preston, Faun. Brit. Ind., Freshw. Moll., pp. 


15, 35: 

In discussing the species of Melania (s.l.) that occur in Balu- 
chistan and Seistan we have had to overcome two difficulties, 
firstly to settle the somewhat complicated specific synonomy, and 
secondly, to decide what characters should be regarded as of 
generic importance. So far as the second of these questions is 
concerned we have followed in the main the classification adopted 
by the Sarasins in the work cited above. We have, however, 
regarded the groups that they include under the name Melama as 
of generic value, believing that by so doing we are following sound 
lines in estimating such structures as the operculum and radula 
as of equal value in this family to the sculpture of the shell and the 
precise form of its mouth. The groups or subgenera Plotia, and 
Striatclla (== Melanoides) as defined by Brot in his monograph and 
accepted by Preston in the Fauna of India, fade imperceptibly one 
into the other, and Brot’s diagnosis of Ploiia is, as we have pointed 
out elsewhere,'! by no means applicable to all shells even of the 
type-species. 

The question of specific identity and nomenclature in the 
Indian and Persian species of the genus is complicated by imper- 
fect descriptions, particularly on the part of Troschel and Philippi. 

In considering the question due but not excessive attention 
must be given to the locality of specimens and it must be remem- 
bered that the names Melania pyramis and M. elegans are due to 
Hutton, and not to Benson, who merely distinguished certain forms 
by letters, and that, further, Hutton was dealing very largely 


1 Rec. Ind. Mus. XIV, p. 147 (1919). 


IgIQ.] N. ANNANDALE & B. Prasuap: Mollusca. 29 


when he first used these names with a collection from what is now 
British Baluchistan and the Afghan frontier. We have been great- 
ly helped by an examination of specimens named by Hutton 
himself. 

The conclusions to which we have come are these, (1) that 
three species, one of which has several varieties, have been as yet 
found in Baluchistan and the extreme south of Persia; (2) that 


Fic. 3.—Opercula of Melaniidae. 


Melanoides tuberculata (Miiller), from large artificial reservoir in 
Hyderabad State. 

M. pyramis var. flavida (Nevill), from spring in the Afghan-Baluch 
desert. 

M. pyramis var. luteomarginata (Nevill), from Persian Baluchistan. 

M. tigrina (Hutton) from Quetta. 

Melanopsis deserticola, sp. nov. from a spring in Persian Baluchistan. 


BOO Ww > 


the correct names of these species are Melanoides scabra var. 
elegans (Hutton), M. tigrina (Hutton) and M. pyramis (Hutton) ; 
(3) that Hutton has included forms of two distinct species under 
the name M. elegans, and (4) that while one of these forms must 
be regarded as a variety of M. scabra, the other is a variety of 
M. pyramis. In our opinion the last is a transitional form be- 


30 Records of the Indian Museum. MVOL, X<VirE «- 


tween the groups Plotia and M elanoides, but comes in the latter 
rather than the former. , 
The genus Melanoides may be defined thus :—Melaniidae in 


ig 


| eae 


Fic. 4.—Radular teeth of Melaniidae (x 125). 


A. Teeth of Melanoides tigrina (Hutton) from Quetta. 

B. Upper part of teeth of M. pyramis var. luteomarginata (Nevill) from 
Persian Baluchistan. 

C. Upper part of teeth of M. pyramis var. leopardina, var. nov. from 
Poona. 

D. Upper part of teeth of M. pyramis var. flavida (Nevill) from spring 
in Afghan-Baluch desert. 

E. Teeth of Melanopsis deserticola, sp. nov. from spring in Persian 
Baluchistan. 


which the shell is small or of moderate size, tapering or turreted 
and never of very great thickness or relative breadth. The mouth 
is small, ovoid and not greatly produced in front ; the columellar 


1QIQ. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PRASHAD: Mollusca. 31 


callus moderate; the columella bent but slight and not produced 
anteriorly; the lip slightly or not at all thickened. The sculpture 
consists of longitudinal and transverse striae, which produce by 
their intersection a more or less granular appearance at any rate 
on the upper whorls. Wongitudinal ribs may be present on the 
lower whorls; their distal extremity is either granular or spinose, 
as arule more or less produced. The periostracum is thick and 
may bear minute hair-like processes. 

The operculum is ovoid and relatively large, with the posterior 
extremity pointed. It is distinctly spiral towards the anterior, 
blunt extremity, but the actual whorls are relatively small and are 
situated near the inner anterior margin. The remainder of the sur- 
face is ornamented with curved parallel lines which radiate out- 
wards from a point situated between the spiral region and the 
inner margin. 

The vadular teeth are characterized by their sharp and rela- 
tively numerous cusps. The iateral tooth is narrow, very oblique 
in its natural position and as a rule strongly curved or bent 
longitudinally. 

Type-species. M. fasciolata, Olivier=M. tuberculata (Muller), 
vat. 


[ Melanoides tuberculata (Miiller).| 
(Plenive: 125.1) 
1774. Nerita tuberculata, Miller, Hist. Verm., p. 191. 
1837. Melania adspersa, Troschel, Wiegm. Arch. f. Naturw. I, p. 175. 
1876. Melania tuberculata, Hanley and Theobald, Conch. Jnd., 
pl. Ixxiv, figs. 1-4. 
1918. Melania tuberculata, Annandale, Rec. nd. Mus. XIV, pp. 114, 156, 
fics. Oyepl. xi, fies: 1,25 
1919. Melania tuberculata, Annandale and Prashad, /did., XVI, p. 146, 
pl. v, fig. 5 (radula). 

Although this species is extremely plastic, in some respects 
it retains its specific characters under all circumstances. These 
are (1) the very gradual and even increase in size of the whorls 
from the apex to the mouth, (2) the distinct but not very great 
convexity of the whorls, (3) the absence of all swelling and com- 
paratively small size of the body-whorl, (4) the small size of the 
mouth of the shell, the maximum length of which is considerably 
less than one-third of the total length, (5) the tubercular sculpture, 
especially of the upper whorls, (6) the smooth spiral ridges at the 
base of the body-whorl, (7) the more or less distinct longitudinal 
reddish markings on a background of green or brown. ‘The total 
length of the shell is from a little less than three to four times 
the greatest transverse diameter. 

We have recently figured the radular teeth (of. ct#., 1919, pl. v, 
fig. 5). The central tooth is broad and rounded at the lateral angles. 
It is symmetrical or nearly so and has a comparatively small 
central cusp with four small ones on either side. The other teeth 
are sub-equal and a little narrower. They have numerous small 
cusps. In the inner marginal one of the cusps is a little enlarged. 


Records of the Indian Museum. [VOL eVEEE. 


Os 
iS) 


The operculum is regularly ovoid, bluntly pointed posteriorly 
and broadly rounded anteriorly. It is distinctly spiral, with two 
and a half whorls in the nucleus, which is situated some distance 
from the inner margin. The surface is ornamented with numerous 
lines which curve outwards from near the anterior extremity. 

In spite of its extremely wide range, from the Mediterranean 
to Australia and China, we have no evidence of the occurrence of 
this species in Baluchistan or Southern Persia. 


Melanoides pyramis (Hutton). 
(Pisiv,, aSisel 


1850. Melania pyramis (Benson), Hutton, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal (2) 
XVIII, p. 658. 

This species is distinguished from M. tuberculata both by shell- 
characters and by constant differences in the radula. The shell 
is considerably shorter and broader, being distinctly less than three 
times as long as broad. The body-whorl is relatively large and 
much more swollen. The mouth is more than one-third as long as 
the shell, which tapers much more abruptly. 

The radula of forms we regard as varieties differs considerably 
from that of M. tuberculata in the shape of its central tooth , which 
is produced on either side in an angle, below which it is more or less 
constricted. It has a relatively large central cusp with the lateral 
cusps usually more numerous on the right side than the left. The 
lateral tooth is considerably narrower than the inner marginal. 

We have not been able to examine fresh specimens of the typical 
form of this species, but Hutton states that the form which occurs 
in marshy land at Quetta is without markings and coarse in sculp- 
ture with the apex of the spire and epidermis eroded. A few dead 
shells of this type were found in a pond in the Residency garden 
at Quetta in January rgtQ, but no living individuals could be dis- 
covered in spite of a careful search. It is probable that in cold 
districts the species burrows into mud, as Hutton (doc. cit., p. 657; 
1850) states that M. scabra var. elegans does in the same country. 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 


Length pe eh OTS 24°6 
Breadth a. eels ares gl 
Length of aperture. . ct 7 sry 
Breadth of aperture he Mek: 4°5 


The shell we figure is much eroded, though the most complete we 
have examined in other respects. In a broken specimen of rather 
smaller size all the whorls but the body-whorl are ornamented with 
numerous curved longitudinal rows of from four to six tubercles 
separated by deep longitudinal grooves and divided up by narrow 
transverse striae. 

We are able to recognize no less than four distinct varieties 
of this species. 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PRASHAD: Mollusca. 33 


[var. leopardina, nov.] 
(Pl. iv, fig. 4.) 


1876. Melania pyramis and var. adspersa, Hanley and Theobald (nec 
Troschel) Conch. Ind., pl. cx , figs. 1, 2, 4. 

1877. Melania adspersa, Brot (nec Troschel), op. cit., p. 255, pl. xxvi, 
figs. 4, 4a. 

1885. Melania (Striatella) tuberculata, Nevill, Hand List Moll. Ind. 
Mus., 11, p. 240 (in part). 


This form has almost the same proportions as the forma typica, 
but the body whorl is slightly narrower and the anterior margin of 
the lip less produced. The surface of the shell is of a pale yellow 
colour beautifully marked with irregular longitudinal streaks of 
deep red. The sculpture is similar to that of the typical form but 
the granules are not so distinct. The shell is considerably thinner. 


Measurements of Shells (tn miliimetres). 


Tength  .. oe eee 284 22:3 
Breadth .. Signe MON 9.9 Sr 
Length of aperture .. 9Q'9 10 8:2 
Breadth of aperature.. 5°3 8 4°4 


Type-series. 1202, Zoological Survey of India (Ind. Mus.) 
(from Poona). 

The denticulations of the teeth of the radula are all rather blunt. 
The central tooth has four small cusps on each side of the central 
cusp. Its upper margin is slightly concave. None of the denticu- 
lations of the lateral teeth are much enlarged, the inner marginal 
has about thirteen and the outer about eight denticulations. 

We figure the operculum. 

This form appears to be the one to which the name pyramis 
has been most commonly applied. The measurements given by 
Troschel of his type-specimens of Melania adspersa, in which the 
apex was destroyed, preclude their belonging to it. It is not 
uncommon, though apparently somewhat sporadic, in the Indo- 
Gangetic plain and Peninsular India, but has often been confused 
with M. tuberculata. 


[ var. puteicola, nov. | 
(Pl. iv, figs. 7-8.) 


1834. Melania (No. 14), Hutton, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal III, p. 91. 
1885. Melania (Plotia) scabra var. elegans, Nevill (specimens from Feroze- 
pore only), op. cit., p. 284. 


As we have already pointed out, two quite distinct forms were 
confused by Nevill, and apparently at one time by Benson and 
Hutton, under the name Melania elegans. The specimens we 
describe here are those which Hutton found in a well at Ferozepore 
in the Punjab. They are the only shells we have seen. 

Type-serties. M 115401/2, Zoological Survey of India (Ind. 
Mus.). 


34 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


The shells are similar in shape to M. pyramis, s.s., but much 
smaller and thinner and with the lip slightly thickened anteriorly 
and the suture more impressed. Some of them, but not all, are 
characterized by the strong longitudinal sculpture of the upper 
whorls. ‘The ribs, however, are not well defined and barely even — 
distinctly tubercular, never at all produced, at their upper extrem- 
ity. The surface is of neutral olivaceous buff with red longitudi- 
nal markings. 


Measurements of Shells (tn millimetres). 


Length .. ee a SES 159 14°8 
Breadth- .. Bd pide Sy) 6 59 
Length ofaperture 227 6:2 6°3 6 

Breadth ef aperture “.< ~=2°9 3 2°8 


These shells, though clearly belonging to M. pyramis, afford 
an easy transition to the group Plotia, s.s. The fact that Nevill 
assigned them to M. scabra is, indeed, strong evidence in favour of 
the advisability of breaking down the separation between that 
group and Striatella. 


var. flavida (Nevill). 
(Pins, hes Oe platy. ie On) 
1885. Melania (Striatella) tuberculata, subvar. flavida, Nevill, op. cit., 
p. 244. 

Nevill gives no description of this variety. Shells exhibit 
considerable variation in shape, but are usually even broader than 
the typical form, and have the mouth more expanded and more 
oblique. The longitudinal ribs are quite obsolete. There is an 
indistinct smooth ridge running below the suture. The shell is 
moderately thin and resembles the var. puteicola, but is usually 
paler in colour. Sometimes, however, the colour approaches that 
of the var. luwteomarginata and the sutural ridge is often distinctly 
paler than the remainder of the surface. 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 


Hurmuk Persian Baluchistan. 
— OT - 
Length De TLOO ES 5s L72e. BOF 272 ee 
Breadth fe (OA 85 a) TO: 3) O° On M7. 
Length of 
aperture .. Gas 42ON WNOI7: (STOO) IO eee 
Breadth of 
Aperturen 3374 esis aie eee 6:23). 5101) 449 


The central tooth of the radula is produced at either side into 
a distinct angle and is asymmetrical. It has three cusps on the 
left side of the middle enlarged, one and two on the right. The 
lateral tooth is considerably narrower but has very similar cusps. 
The marginal teeth are subequal, both broader than the lateral, 
and have a large number (at least ten) of sharp cusps on each. 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B, PRASHAD: Mollusca. 35 


The operculum has a distinct notch at the lower margin but 
is otherwise very like that of M. tuberculata, except that it bears 
fewer curved transverse striae. 

Nevill named this variety from specimens from Pishin (not 
to be confused with the Pishin north of Quetta) and other locali- 
ties in Persian Baluchistan and from Kalagan and Kerman in the 
south-east of Persia proper, and we have seen a rather dark shell 
from lower Mesopotamia. 

Type-series. The specimens from the first of those districts 
may be regarded as the type-series, No. M. 11541/2, Zoological 
Survey of India (Ind. Mus.). 

This form is not uncommon in small springs in the desert of 
Baluchistan and the Persian frontier. We collected specimens at 
Saindak and Robat in water distinctly salt to the taste, and at 
Hurmuk in fresh water. The following description of the animal 
is copied from the station book of the expedition :— 

‘“Foot hardly longer than broad, subquadrate, with both ex- 
tremities subtruncate; the antero-lateral angles acute and slightly 
produced. The snout long, flattened, rather narrow. The ten- 
tacles very slender, as a rule hardly longer than the snout. Pro- 
cesses at margin of mantle elongate, pointed, 7 or 8 in number. 
Sole of foot greyish white, with a faint tinge of pink and an 
indistinct grey border, spotted with microscopic yellow specks. 
Dorsal surface of foot, whole of snout, tentacles and edge of 
mantle black, the snout clouded with white, especially towards 
the base, the tentacles minutely speckled with dull yellow, the 
mantle processes edged and tipped with black. The animal 
moves with the ordinary jerky gait and holds its shell parallel to 
the surface when moving. When at rest the apex is often held 
sloping upwards.’’ 


var. luteomarginata (Nevill). 
(Plo iv figs 5.) 
1885. Melania tuberculata subvar. luteomarginata, Nevill, op. czt., p. 244. 


This is a very beautiful and distinct variety distinguished by 
its regularity of form, colouration and sculpture. It is, however, 
linked by intermediate individuals with the var. flavida. The 
form is narrower than that of M. pyramis (s.s.), but the difference 
is not great. The colour is a deep chocolate-brown without red- 
dish markings but rendered distinctive by the narrow paler spiral 
band that runs down the shell just outside the suture. The 
lower part of the inner margin of the mouth of the shell is also 
of the same colour. The sculpture, except at the base of the 
body-whorl, has a regular granulose appearance due to the fact 
that the longitudinal striae are numerous and not much deeper or 
broader than the transverse ones, and there is a narrow flattened 
ridge outside the suture. At the base of the shell only the trans- 
verse, spiral striae are developed. The shell is moderately thick. 


36 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Measurements of the Shells (in millimetres). 


Persian, Baluchistan 


(Blanford). 
fo nt at ae 
Lengthiae: Ree nga 29.1 29°4 
Breadth. Se ce 9°9 10'8 
Length or aperture ..40 Lise LO 10°3 
Breadth of aperture .. 64 55 6°3 


Type-sertes. 1205, Zoological Survey of India (Ind. Mus.). 

We have extracted the operculum and radula from one of 
Blanford’s specimens. The former does not differ much from 
that of M. tuberculata but is rather larger and more pointed 
posteriorly. : 

The radula, while of the same type as that of the vars. /eo- 
pardina and flavida, differs slightly in the proportions and denti- 
culation of teeth (see fig. 4), all of which are larger and broader 
than those of var. flavida. The central tooth has two extra cusps 
on either side and the cusps of the other teeth are much larger. 
Those on the outer marginal are fewer, not more than seven. 

The variety is represented in the collection of the Zoological 
Survey of India by specimens collected by the late Dr. W. T. 
Blanford in Persian Baluchistan and at Kalagan in the south of 
Persia proper. 


Melanoides tigrina (Hutton). 
(Pl. iv, fig. 2.) 
1850. Melania tigrina, Hutton, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal (2), XVIII, p. 658. 


This species is, as Hutton pointed out in his original descrip- 
tion, distinguished from all varieties of M. pyramis by the much 
greater smoothness of the shell, in which both the longitudinal 
and the transverse striae become almost obsolete towards the 
base. The shell resembles that of M. pyramis var. leopardina in 
shape, texture and colouration, but exhibits some variation in the 
extent to which the longitudinal reddish markings are developed. 
The specimens collected by Hutton and still in the Indian Museum 
are, as he stated, much eroded on the surface and have lost the 
apical whorls. We have examined, however, other examples 
from Quetta which are almost perfect. The shell only differs in 
form from that of M. pyramis var. leopardina in being still more 
acutely pointed, in having the whorls a little less convex and the 
suture slightly impressed owing mainly to a narrow flattening of 
the upper margin of each whorl. ‘The sculpture on the upper 
whorls, in unworn shells, is distinctly though minutely granular, 
but it becomes gradually less distinct towards the body-whorl, on 
which only a comparatively small number of lightly impressed 
spiral striae and very indistinct longitudinal striae can be dis- 
tinguished. 


1919.] N. ANNANDALE & B. Praswap: Mollusca. 37 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 


Quetta. 
Length eH 3426 Bows 32 
Breadth ei Erors Ba Bae Te 
Length of aperture .. 10°6 I0°5 bp Oy 
Breadth of aperture .. 6°1 6°2 6 


The radula is very like that of the varieties of M. pyramts. 

The operculum is very similar to that of the varieties of 
M. pyramts. 

The geographical range of this species is obscure and there has 
evidently been much confusion with M. pyramis and M. tuberculata. 
The only specimens we have examined are from Quetta and the Kan- 
gra Valley. ‘They include Hutton’s type-series (No. 1208 M, Z Ole): 


Melanoides scabra (Miiller) var. elegans (Hutton). 


1850. Melania elegans, Hutton, of. cit., p- 657- 
1885. Melania scabra var. elegans, Nevill, op. cit., p. 284 (in part). 

To judge from Hutton’s description, this is a large, thick, 
strongly sculptured and brilliantly coloured form of Miiller’s Buc- 
cinum scabrum, the specific name of which must be applied in a 
restricted sense to the smaller, thinner-shelled form with definite 
spines at the upper end of the longitudinal ribs on the body-whorl, 
common in South India. 

We can find in the collection no specimens either from the 
Bolan Pass, which lies between Quetta and the plains, or from 
Sibb in Persian Baluchistan, from which place Nevill records speci- 
mens of the typical form. There is, however, a series stated, per- 
haps incorrectly, to be from the Sunderbans in the Gangetic Delta 
which agrees well with Hutton’s description and with the remarks 
made by Nevill in his ‘‘ Hand-List.’’ We figure one of these shells. 

The complete synonymy of M.scabra and its allies has still 
to be worked out. So far as we can say at present, the form 
elegans should not be regarded as having specific value. 


Genus Melanopsis, Férussac. 
1877. Melanopsis, Brot., op. cit., p. 416. 


This genus is represented in the southern part of the Persian 
Plateau! by several species. We have recently obtained from 
Persian Baluchistan a good series of specimens of a very distinct 
new form, for which we propose the name :— 


Melanopsis deserticola, sp. nov. 
(Pl. iii, fig. 8.) 


The shell is smooth as a whole, tapering regularly, acuminate, 
fusiform, a little more than twice as long as broad. The whorls, 


| See Nevill, Hand List Moll. Ind. Mus. 11, pp. 206-209. 


38 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor XVII, 


of which there are at least eight in complete shells, increase very 
gradually and regularly and are not at all swollen. The suture is 
not impressed but is, at any rate above the body-whorl, slightly 
undercut downwards. It is a little oblique. The spire is rela- 
tively long, nearly as long as the body-whorl in ventral and longer 
than that whorl in dorsal view. It is sharply pointed in the com- 
plete shell. The body-whorl is relatively narrow, much longer than 
broad and almost oblong in ventral view. In dorsal view the 
outer profile is in a straight line with that of the spire for about 
a third of its length and then curves abruptly inwards. The outer 
anterior angle is pointed and slightly produced. The mouth is 
rather small and relatively broad, slightly oblique and distinctly 
constricted posteriorly. ‘The outer lip, which is not thickened, is 
sinuate and convex in its anterior part. The columella projects 
slightly ; it is bent and its callus is moderate. The posterior 
canal of the mouth is short, narrow and straight. The surface 
of the shell is sculptured with coarse longitudinal striae, some 
of which on the body-whorl are irregularly thickened. In very 
old individuals these may have the appearance of obsolete ribs. 
The colour is normally a dull purplish black with the upper 
part of each whorl and the base of the body-whorl slightly paler ; 
but some shells are bleached. 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 


Type-sp. 
Length se week Aedes Tea) me Beces 
Breadth Stay AOS) 40 Te oe 
Length of aperture a, 86 iroy uae (66 
Breadth of aperture iG ge 6 AOE ER SES) 


Length of spine (dorsal) =.) . 7.31) OOo 


The operculum is thick and has the nuclear region small and 
obscurely spiral. 

The animal is much shrunk in the specimens examined, but 
some interesting features of its external anatomy are apparent. 
The snout is relatively short and broad and slightly notched in 
front. The foot is much longer that broad. The tentacles, in a 
contracted condition, are very short, tapering and not very thick. 
They bear a relatively large oculiferous lobe at their outer base. 
The eye is also large. ‘The upper surface of the exposed parts is 
blackish with white transverse lines, the sole white. 

The radular teeth are large al rather stout. The central 
tooth is much broader than high. It is produced into blunt angles 
at the base on either side. Its upper margin bears three low prom- 
inences, while the lower margin is concave. There are five cusps, 
of which the central cusp is more than twice as long as the others ; 
all are bluntly pointed and directed downwards. The disk bears a 
very large trilobed process with the central lobe broad and trun- 
cate, the lateral lobes pointed and with sinuate inner margins. The 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHap: Mollusca. 39 


lateral tooth is oblique but not bent. It has five cusps resemb- 
ling those of the central tooth and bears a broad blunt process 
on its disk. ‘The inner marginal has four or five subequal cusps 
and is much narrower than the outer. The outer marginal is rela- 
tively long and narrow as a whole, with four small cusps; but its 
outer margin is produced some distance below its upper edge into 
a broad, blunt lobe. On the upper part of the inner margin there 
is a similar but much less prominent projection. — 

Type-specimens. No. M 11535/2 Zool. Surv. Ind. (Ind. Mus.). 

The type-series was found by Mr. (temporary Major) W. J. 
Good, at the time Administrative Commandant, South Central 
District, Eastern Persian Cordon, at Kaindak (long. 60° 48’ E., lat. 
29° 48’N.), Persian Baluchistan. The molluscs were collected on 
damp alga at the edge of a small spring of slightly brackish 
water. The water comes out of a patch of earth 20 to 30 feet 
square and forms a mere trickle. 

At first sight the shell of this species is very like that of the 
dwarfed Persian form of M. praerosa (Linn.) called by Nevill var. 
nana. It is, however, considerably narrower and more acuminate 
and has the spire very much longer. 


Family LIMNAEIDAE. 


The molluscs of this family found in Baluchistan and Seistan 
all belong to the genus Limmnaea in a wide sense, but fall into two 
very distinct groups, which we may call provisionally the group of 
L. auricularia and that of L. truncatula. Untilthe anatomy of the 
Limnaeidae of India and of Western Asia is better known it would 
be premature to discuss the nomenclature and status of these 
groups. ‘To that of L. auriculania belong L. persica, L. bactriana, 
L. iranica and L. gedrosiana, while L. truncatula and L. hordeum 
represent the group of the former species. 


Genus Limnaea, Lamarck. 


The Limnaeae found in the countries under consideration are 
all of small size and, except those of L. truncatula group, have 
thin, fragile shells, which are unpigmented or of very pale coloura- 
tion. They are all paludine forms. We have recognized six 
species. Although some of these resemble Palaearctic or Indian 
species in shell-characters, we have not felt justified in identifying 
any but the plastic L. truncatula with species known either from 
Europe, from Central Asia or from India. One peculiar species 
(L. hordeum) we assign, after a comparison of specimens, to a 
Mesopotamian form. ‘The resemblances in the shell in other in- 
stances are no more than resemblances, and in most cases precise 
information as to anatomical characters is deficient or altogether 
lacking. 


Records of the Indian Museum. (Vou. X Vidz, 


3 


Fic. 5.—Genitalia of Pulmonate Molluscs. 


Coen 


\. Genitalia of ZL. bactriana, Hutton. 

B. Genitalia of Limnaea gedrosiana var. rectilabrum, var. nov. 

C. Genitalia of Gyraulus euphraticus, Mousson. 

D. Penis-sheath of same specimen as seen in optical section (further 


enlarged). 
E. Genitalia of Gyraulus convexiusculus (Hutton). 
F. Penis-sheath of Segmentina calathus (Benson) as seen in optical sec- 


tion (X 35). 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasuHaD: Mollusca. 41 


Key to the Shells of Limnaea known from Baluchistan 
and Seistan. 


1. Shell thin, moderately small ; its mouth large and 
more than half as long as the shell. 

A. Mouth expanded and_ projecting posteriorly 
from shell at a right angle; its outer arc prac- 
tically a semi-circle... oe % 

B. Mouth not or little expanded, usually projecting 
at an angle much less than a right angle ; 
its outer arc less than a semi-circle. 

i. Spire exserted, with swollen whorls and im- 
pressed suture ; main axis of mouth forming 
an acute angle with that of shell ... L. bactriana. 

ii, Spire much less exserted ; its whorls not swol- 
len and its suture not impressed ; main axis 
of mouth parallel to that of shell. 

4. Outer arc of mouth quite regular; apex 


L. persica. 


sharply pointed... co ~. LZ. tvanica. 
b. Outer arc of mouth irregular; apex bluntly 
pointed. 
1. Curve of outer are of mouth only slightly 
flattened at wae ... L. gedrosiana, SS. 
>, Curve of outer arc of mouth flattened 
toa straight line ee ... LL. gedrosiana 


var. vectilabrum. 
>. Shell moderately or very thick, of very small size, 
elongate, with the length of the mouth much less 
than half the total length. 
1. Apex pointed ; whorls of spire moderate .., L. tyuncatula. 
2. Apex blunt; whorls of spire very large... L. hordeum. 


Limnaea persica, Issel. 
(PI. v, figs. 3-6.) 


Limnaea auricularia vat. persica, Bourguignat, Issel, Moll. Miss. 
Ital. Persia (Torino), p. 47. 
1883. Limnaea persica, Locard, Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. Lyon I\I, p. 285. 


1865. 


on 


Issel gave a very brief description of this form, which he did 
not figure, merely comparing it with L. auricularia and stating 
the length and breadth of the shell. Locard had probably seen 
specimens, as he compared his L. subpersica with it, but gave no 
further details. It seems to us impossible that the form which 
Nevill! called Limnaeus lagotis var. persica, Issel (= L. trvanica, 
nobis) can be identical, as that form has no particular resemblance 
to L. auricularia. 

We have before us a series of shells? collected by the late Dr. 
W. T. Blanford at Saidabad, S.W. of Kerman (the type locality). 
The measurements of one of these agree almost precisely with those 
given by Issel. We have also a much larger series from the Balu- 
chistan desert clearly belonging to the same species but differing 
slightly. Fully adult shells from the former locality are somewhat 
broader than Issel’s type, the specimen that agrees with it being 
not quite full-grown, and we do not know from what kind of 


l Nevill, Hand List Moll. Ind. Mus. \, p. 237 (1879). 
2 Identified by Nevill as L. auricularia, var. (op. cit., p. 238). 


42 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor XV, 


environment either Philippi’s or Blanford’s specimens came. It is 
possible, therefore, either that Issel’s type was immature, or that 
the specimens from the desert are more near the typical form than 
those which chanced to be collected in the same district as it. We 
will describe and figure shells from the Kerman district and point 
out the characters wherein those from the desert (examples of which 
we also figure) differ from them. 


NMOBOOE iN EAN 


CMA OSA 


Fic. 6.—Radular teeth of Limnaea (x ca. 185). 


A. Teeth of Limnaea gedrosiana, sp. nov from pond in garden in Quetta. 

B. Teeth of same species from the reed-beds of the Hamun-i-Helmand. 

C. Teeth of L. gedrosiana var. rectilabrum, var. nov from siones at edge of 
Kushdil Khan reservoir, Northern Baluchistan. 

D. Teeth of same variety from small pool in desert near Nasratabad, 
Seistan. 

E. Teeth of Z. bactriana, Hutton, from irrigation channel, Nasratabad, 
Seistan. 

EK. ‘Teeth of Z. tyanica from Persian Baluchistan, 


Form from the Kerman district. The shell is small and thin, 
of a pale horny colour and (perhaps through age) opaque. The 
spire is short but prominent, acutely pointed and-slightly oblique 
as a whole. It is considerably longer on the dorsal than on the 
ventral aspect of the shell, occupying about 4 of the total length 
on the former and on the latter nearly 4. The body-whorl is 
relatively large but not greatly inflated; its outlines are sinuous 
and it has considerable obliquity. ‘The mouth of the shell is large 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHapD: Mollusca. 43 


and oval; its main axis lies nearly parallel’ to but considerably 
outside that of the shell; it is hardly pointed posteriorly. The 
outer lip is sharp, broadly and fairly regularly arched; it extends 
far beyond the body-whorl posteriorly. The antero-internal angle 
is broadly rounded aud a little expanded, the anterior border 
slightly flattened in its immediate vicinity. The columella is 
straight, its callus well-developed and broad but not coarse; it is 
slightly or not at all folded and is extended over the narrowly 
timate umbilicus. The sculpture consists of fine, somewhat ir- 
regular longitudinal ridges with microscopic striae running parallel 
to them ; the former are often developed only on the body-whorl. 

Form from the Baluchistan desert. Our specimens from the 
Baluchistan desert were collected in December, 1918 by Mr. S. W. 
Kemp at the edge of the Zanginawar lakes, 20 miles east of 
Nushki. These lakes are a series of small basins which retain the 
overflow from the Pishin river and contain water that is nearly 
fresh in winter and supports a luxuriant submerged vegetation. 
Mr. Kemp found only empty shells. These were abundant on the 
shore of the lakes one to two feet above the water-level. 

The shells from Zanginawar only differ from those from the 
Kerman district in being rather smoother and distinctly narrower 
and in having the columellar callus narrower and slightly more 
folded. As may be seen from the figures on plate V, they vary 
somewhat in outline, and young shells are narrower and have the 
mouth less expanded than old ones. 

Unfortunately we have no information about the radula or 
soft parts of either race of this species. 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 


Specimens A-—C are from Saidabad, S.W. of Kerman, S. Persia: specimens 
D—F from Zanginawar in the Baluchistan desert, 20 miles west of Nushki. 


Ac Maree tak © eet Der bie EG 


Length ff ay L323 EI Oe LOO ESO aett Ea29 
Breadth am 5, LOTOr Oren a7 a. a0 
Length of aperture ia ELE 728 98-Oe 407596 Gi2 = Orn 
Breadth of aperture £3 70" 75) OF 95,0) Or Aa Op eenoes 
eaeth of spire (dorsal) '".. 9.295, 2:7) 202i ey 
Breadth or pase Of Spite 2. “2°50 °2°5.° 2:5" 2:01 2-4 2-6 


It seems better, in the lack of anatomical information, not to 
dogmatize as to the precise relations of this form. There can, how- 
ever, be little doubt that it belongs to the same group as L. auricu- 
larva. 


Limnaea iranica, sp. nov. 
(Bis vit ice si) 
1878. Limnaea lagotis var. persica, Nevill (nec Issel), Hand List Moll. 
Ind. Mus.. 1, p. 237. 
Shell. ‘he shell is of small or moderate size, fairly thin, dull 
on the external surface, of a pale, dull opaque buff colour, orna- 


44 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


mented with very fine longitudinal tidges and striae but without 
transverse striae. The shape is regularly, narrowly ovate, with 
the apex sharply pointed. The suture is not impressed and slightly 
oblique. The whorls, of which there are 44, increase gradually in 
size. The spire is prominent, but short, slightly oblique as a 
whole. It occupies a little less than } of the total length in dorsal 
view and is only a little longer in ventral view. The body-whorl 
is ovate and not at all swollen, almost bilaterally symmetrical. In 
dorsal view the internal profile forms for the greater part of its 
length from the base of the spire a regular arc a little less than a 
semi-circle but is distinctly constricted in front of the internal 
anterior angle, which is broadly rounded and slightly produced. 
The mouth of the shell is long and narrowly pear-shaped, pointed 
and slightly introverted posteriorly. It runs backwards for about 
the length of the body-whorl. The outer lip is sharp, not at all 
thickened internally, broadly and regularly arched but not ex- 
panded. The columella is straight and slightly folded. Its callus, 
which is continuous with the outer lip posteriorly, is moderately 
developed. The anterior margin of the mouth is rounded and 
projects slightly. The columellar callus completely covers the 
very narrowly rimate or altogether closed umbilicus. 


Measurements of shells (in millimetres). 


Specimens A—C are from Persian Baluchistan (Blanford), specimens D—F 
from Magas in §S. Persia (also Blanford). 


jae oven Ore Bend 8 a SIR) wale 2 


Length th a TB8iS) 1465. 15°39 14-4 1374 or 
Maximum breadth ae, ably = Oo Te O11. Ore mga aoe 
Length of aperture Pa (7: ey As G7 le Gato ete GIGI eye G95) 
Breadth of aperture PV ORS! POW GER, O72) Oa ager 
Vength ot spire(dorsal)' 23 0) 2:0 6 3°3u feo tao 
Breadth ofsbasetol spire). -4°2. 395) 3°7e3-5 ny aan eadG 


Shells from the two localities only differ in size. Our speci- 
mens are those examined by Nevill. 

Radula. We have extracted the radula from one of Blanford’s 
specimens in which remains of the animal persisted. It is of the 
same type as that of L. bactriana but differs in several particulars. 
‘The base of the central tooth is distinctly bilobed. The three 
cusps of the inner lateral teeth are long and sharp, but those of 
the intermediate bicuspid teeth are short and blunt, the inner 
cusp being broadly truncate. The marginal teeth are somewhat 
remarkable, having the outer margin coarsely denticulate, one of 
the denticulations being often of a lobular nature. The dental 
formula is approximately 12.7.1.7.12. 

Type-specimen. No. M11545/2, Zoological Survey of India 
(Ind Mus.) [Persian Baluchistan]. 

Localities. ‘The only specimens we have seen are those col- 
lected by Dr. Blanford in Persian Baluchistan and at Magas in 
Southern Persia. There is a good series from each locality. 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHap: Mollusca. 45 


The position of this species is a little doubtful. The shell is 
in some respects intermediate between that of L. peregra (ovata) 
and that of L. lagotis. It resembles somewhat that of L. intermedia 
as figured by Kobelt in the new edition ot Rossmassler’s ‘* Icono- 
graphie” (pl. 488, No. 2602), but the whorls increase more gradu- 
ally in size and the mouth is broader. 


Limnaea bactriana, Hutton. 
(Plo vores: 1.2 capl. wit, te.)6.) 
1850. Lee bactriana, Hutton, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal XVIII (2), 
p- 656. 

The shell is moderately small, thin, fragile, of a pale, dull 
brownish colour, polished when clean but coated with calcareous 
algae in most of the specimens examined. The surface is often 
irregularly decussated and always bears, at any rate on the body- 
whorl, prominent but narrow longitudinal ridges and correspond- 
ing striae set close together. No transverse striae can be detected 
with a lens. The sculpture is often concealed by the calcareous 
algal coat. The apex is acuminate but not very acute, the spire 
prominent, but occupying less than 4 of the total length in dorsal 
view. The suture is impressed and moderately oblique. There are 
4 or 44 whorls, which are neither swollen nor shouldered ; those of 
the spire increase gradually in size and the penultimate whorl 
is relatively large. The body-whorl is large and of ovoid form; 
its inner outline is markedly sinuate and somewhat emarginate 
towards the anterior extremity, but the antero-internal angle is 
broadly rounded, the outer outline is evenly and not very strong- 
ly curved. The mouth is large but not expanded, extending 
backwards for more than # the length of the body-whorl and being 
less than twice as long as broad; it is of symmetrical ovoid form, 
pointed posteriorly and with its main axis parallel to that of the 
shell. The outer lip is sharp and neither introverted nor expanded ; 
it has a regular and considerable outward curvature and extends 
forwards considerably beyond the limits of the body-whorl. The 
peristome is continuous, the callus broad but thin, extending 
over the narrow but profoundly perforate umbilicus ; the columella 
is distinctly folded. 

As in many species of Limnaea the shellis dimorphic. We shall 
call the two forms (a) and (b) and describe the commoner (@) first. 

(a) In this form the shell has a comparatively long spire, 
occupying nearly } of its length in dorsal view. The 
first 34 whorls increase in size gradually, but the basal 
whorl of the spire is enlarged, the spiralis by no means 
uniform and the body-whorl comparatively narrow. 

(b) The shell differs from that of (@) mainly on account of 
the fact that there is a distinct change in the direc- 
tion of the spiral between the ultimate and pen- 
ultimate whorls. ‘The base of the spire is therefore 
concealed in the body-whorl so that its visible part 


46 Records of the Indian Museum. hVGL. x Vinbk 


becomes comparativey short (slightly more than 4) 
of the total length, while the body-whorl being more 
transverse appears broader and has a more expanded 
mouth, the posterior extremity of which is situated 
at.a higher level on the shell. 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 


Type (a).. Type (0). Young. 


Length As TGESEO 16°0 3 
Breadth : eet, II‘3 4°6 
Length of aperture IOS) TSHOL 4'8 
Breadth ot aperture _ Sipe OS 6°3 Ee, 
Length of spire (dorsal Ciem) 50 3°4 25 
Breadth of base of spire (dorsal 

view) a BRL aoa 22 2'0 


The soft parts of the tiving anima! have no noteworthy peculi- 
arity. The foot and head are pale greenish yellow with minute 
whitish specks. The lower part of the mantle is black with large 
rounded yellowish spots; higher up the yellow predominates and 
the dark pigmentation is reduced to a delicate network. 

The alimentary canal. ‘The jaw is not strongly developed ; 
the central piece is narrow and lunate, only its outer or marginal 
half is fully cornified and of a brown colour. The side pieces 
are feeble. The buccal mass is large and powerful, deeply rounded 
in lateral view. The salivary glands are smaller than in some 
species; they enter the alimentary canal just behind the buccal 
mass. 

The radula is broad, its dental formula being approximately 

8.7.1.7.18. The central tooth, which is comparatively large, 
has a distinctly tridentate cusp, which is very asymmetrical and 
is provided at the tip of the central denticulation with a minute 
thickened spine or tooth. The base of the tooth is elongate and 
only a little emarginate proximally. The lateral teeth are broad 
and tridentate; those on either side of the central tooth have the 
innermost denticulation subequal to the outermost and the central 
denticulation long and sharp. The outer lateral or intermediate 
teeth have two rather blunt cusps; the true marginals have from 
3 to at least 7 very short and blunt denticulations, the outermost 
of which is the broadest. These denticulations are arranged in 
an almost straight transverse line. 

The oesophagus is slender and elongate, marked on the sur- 
face with lines of dark pigment; it forms a well-defined double 
loop at about half its length between the buccal mass and the. 
chyle stomach. ‘This structure is short and by no means clearly 
differentiated externally. The lateral muscular masses of the 
gizzard are large but quite distinct in the middle line and slightly 
unequal in size; they extend very little over the true stomach, 
which is elongate and merges very gradually into the intestine 


Ig19Q. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHaD: Mollusca. 47 


near the point at which the liver-duct enters the alimentary canal. 
The proximal part of the stomach is somewhat sacculated. The 
liver is large and the intestine rather stouter than in some species. 

The genitalia are very like those of L. chlamys,' but the upper 
part of the male duct above the prostate, the lower part of the 
same duct and also the svermathecal duct are all considerably 
longer. Other apparent differences (the larger size of the female 
accessory glands and the more lobate form of the hermaphrodite 
gland) are probably due to the state of sexual activity in the 
specimens examined. The ovarian part of the hermaphrodite 
gland is particularly well developed. The prostate is spindle- 
shaped, but very small. 

Habitat. This species was described from Quetta and was 
found in considerable abundance in an irrigation-channel leading 
to the garden of the British Consulate at Nasratabad (Seistan 
town) and also in pools on the parade-ground at the same place. 
In the channel the water was usually still, but it was allowed to 
flow freely every few days. It was always more or less turbid. 
The bottom was composed of stiff clay and supported a rather 
scanty growth of Characeae and of a narrow-leafed Potamogeton. 
In the pools, which had a similar bottom but contained a some- 
what more luxuriant vegetation consisting chiefly of Zannichellia 
palustris, the water was extremely foul, being frequented by 
camels, donkeys and mules. ‘The basins had been excavated in 
obtaining clay for bricks and the water had probably entered 
by percolation. Shells were also found subfossil in the banks of 
old water-channels near Nasratabad. 

Habits. It is noteworthy that these molluscs, though living 
in water the surface of which was frequently frozen at the season at 
which they were observed, were in a state of sexual activity so 
far as the female organs were concerned. Egg-masses were abun- 
dant on the water-weeds. The adults seemed to feed chiefly on 
minute algae growing on the mud. 

No difference was observed between those individuals from 
the dirty pools and those from the irrigation channel. 

Affinities. Until the anatomy of the Asiatic Limnaeidae is 
better known some doubt must remain as to the affinities of this 
species. The shell resembles those of the group L. Jagotis, but is 
more distinctly perforate. The structure of the spire somewhat 
resembles that of L. lagotis var. subdisjuncta,? Nevill, but the 
penultimate whorl is relatively large and the structure of the 
mouth is quite different. Hutton in his original description com- 
pared the shell to that of the young L. chlamys, Benson, and curi- 
ously enough, before we recognized the identity of our specimens, 
we did the same so far as the genitalia were concerned. ‘There 
can be little doubt, therefore, that a relationship with the Indian 


! Annandale and Prashad, Rec. Ind. Mus., XVI, p. 143, fig. 4 (1919). 

2 Sci. Res. Yarkand Miss. Mollusca, p. 9 (1886). For figures see Weber, 
Wiss. Ergeb. Reise. Thian-Schan, Mollusken, pl. i, figs. f- (Ab. Bayer. Ak. 
Wiss. Math.-phys. Klasse, XX VI, 1913). 


48 Records of the Indtan Museum.  [Voy. XVIII, 


species exists, but what precisely that relationship is still remains 
to be discovered. 

We have compared our specimens from Seistan with one named 
by Hutton from the old collection of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 
This shell is stated to be from Kandahar, but Hutton records the 
species only from Quetta, which was in Afghanistan when he wrote. 
It is very possible that the locality is incorrect. The specimen is 
not mature and agrees very closely with the young shell figured 
by us on pl. vii. 


Limnaea gedrosiana, sp. nov. 
(Pl. vii, figs. 2-4.) 
1850. Limnaea peregra, Hutton, Fourn As.Soc Bengal (2) XVIII. p. 655. 


This species, so far at any rate as the shell is concerned, closely 
resembles L. tvanica, but differs in that the shell is smaller, thinner, 
paler in colour, smoother, less regular in outline, with a blunter 
apex, more oblique spiral and slightly more impressed suture. The 
colour is a faint greenish yellow, the shell is extremely fragile and 
when fresh quite transparent. There are 34 or 4 whorls. The 
spire is twice as long in dorsal as in ventral view, occupying at 
least 1 of the length of the shell in the former. The curvature of 
the inner profile of the body-whorl is less convex and not so regular 
as in L. ivanica, and this whorl as a whole is much less symmetri- 
cal. The mouth of the shell is ovate, pointed but not retroverted 
posteriorly. It is almost bilaterally symmetrical and narrower 
than in L. ivanica; its main axis is parallel to that of the shell. 
Though relatively as long as in the preceding species, it only ex- 
tends backwards for about Z the length of the body-whorl. The 
curvature of the outer lip is afiehily flattened in adult shells. The 
anterior margin projects considerably beyond the body-whorl. 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 


Quetta Lab-i-Baring. 


Length a2 Slee tO tl hen apr O eC 
Maximum breadth Me 165356. AO AC ARG 
Length of aperture oe 202) OF 576 @ CO eat 
Breadth of apetture ">. 5:4 4°r 3:673°38 3°6 3-3 
Length of spire (dorsal)... 2°3 * iCal ge ai ee a | 
Breadth of base of spites. 3: 29) f OZ 2 oa27 


The living animal resembles that of L. bactriana, but the foot 
is perhaps rather smaller, the tentacles longer and more pointed 
and the colour pale. 

The alimentary canal also resembles that of L. bactriana, but 
the muscular gizzard is more uniformly developed and more com- 
pact. It can be seen in the living animal through the shell as a 
globular shining mass. 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHaD: Mollusca. 49 


The jaw and radula are of the same type as those of the species 
already discussed, and closely resemble those of L. bactriana in 
particular. They exhibit, however, great placticity and individual 
variability (see figures, p. 42). The marginals never have the pecu- 
liar form of those of L. ivanica. 

Genitalia. The genitalia are of the same type as those of L. 
bactriana, but have one important difference, viz. that whereas in 
that species the male and female parts of the system are approxi- 
mately equal in length, in L. gedrosiana the vas deferens is greatly 
elongated, while the female ducts are short. This difference is not 
correlated with any difference in the position of the external sexual 
apertures, which in both species are situated almost on a level, but 
in L. gedrosiana the male duct is strongly convoluted. 

Type-specimens. M. 11533/2, Zoological Survey of India 
(Ind. Mus.). 

Localities. ‘This species is common, as Hutton noted, in the 
Pishin district (Chaman) and at Kandahar. It also occurs in abun- 
dance at Quetta and in the Hamun-i-Helmand in Seistan. 

Habits. L. gedrostana can apparently live only amidst dense 
submerged vegetation. Hutton found it in brick tanks at Kanda- 
har and ina small marsh at Chaman. Our specimens from Quetta 
were taken among weeds in a pool supplied by water from 
an underground source in the Residency gardens. The submerged 
vegetation in this pool was dense and the water, in November and 
January, perceptibly warmer than the air. In the Hamun this 
Limnaea occurs mainly amidst algae growing on the roots of 
Phragmites and also on Potamogeton pectinatus in small pools in the 
reed-beds. 

Affinities. L. gedrosiana is apparently related to L. peregra, but 
differs in the blunter spire, more oblique spiral and longer mouth 
of its shell. We do not feel justified in uniting the two forms, and 
the shell differs considerably from that of any of the ‘‘ varieties”’ 
from Central Asia ascribed to L. peregra by former authors. 

Variation and plasticity. There is not much individual varia- 
tion in shells from the same environment, except that correlated 
with age. Shells from Quetta, however, are larger and a little 
broader and have distinctly larger mouths than those from the 
Hamun. Moreover, their spire is distinctly shorter. 


var. rectilabrum, nov. 
(Pl. vi, figs. 1-6.) 


This variety or phase differs from the forma /ypica so far as the 
shell is concerned mainly in having the outer lip distinctly flattened 
so that it slopes outwards in a straight line. Its margin is some- 
times slightly turned inwards towards the aperture. The precise 
form of the mouth is, however, subject to considerable individual 
variation (see pl. vi). The radula does not differ more from that 
of the forma typica than that of the latter varies. The genitalia 


50 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


are practically identical, but the vas deferens differs slightly in 
proportions. 

This variety exhibits both individual variation and plasticity 
in a higher degree than L. gedrosiana, s.s. The shape of the mouth 
of the shell and of the whole body-whorl differs considerably in 
individuals from the same environment, while individuals from 
one environment differ in having a narrower shell than those from 
another. The two localities from which we have examined fresh 
specimens are the Kushdil Khan reservoir, situated at an altitude 
of 5000 {t. in the hill-country of Baluchistan north of Quetta, and 
a small pool in the desert some miles south of Nasratabad in 
Seistan. The Kushdil Khan reservoir is a large body of clear 
shallow water artificiallv confined and liable to dry up in summer. 
In winter it contains at certain places a fairly dense submerged 
vegetation consisting of Potamogcton pectinatus, Naias major, ete. 
The pool near Nasratabad was quite a small one. At the time of 
our visit it was completely isolated in the desert, but in flood-time 
is evidently connected with alarge backwater of one of the effluent 
channels of the Helmand. Its vegetation consisted in December 
of dead reeds and a scanty growth of broad-leaved Potamogeton. 

Specimens from Kushdil Khan were much larger and asa rule 
considerably broader than those from Seistan (cf. figs. I-3, 4-6 on 
pl. vi). All the shells from each locality belonged, though differing 
considerably, quite definitely to the variety. 

At Kushdil Khan dead shells, some with remains of the 
animal, were collected in flood-drift on the edge of the reservoir, 
while a few individuals were found adhering to the lower surface 
of stones near the margins. ‘The molluscs in the desert near Nas- 
ratabad were attached in large numbers to dead reed-stems and to 
the droppings of goats, flocks of which watered at the pool. 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 


Specimens from A—C are from Kushdil Khan reservoir (Baluchistan), and 
specimens D—F from a small pool, some miles south of Nasratabad, Seistan. 


A B IG D E F 


Length a PS TESST EAR EATS 2 SEP eae ae 
Maximum breadth a GIO: Oar 828.7 37 OS PEs 
Length of aperture , MEE. “TO TO°7-- *UOr2'= 6:9" S72 
Breadth of aperture SE O45) 70 530 95 5 eee 
Length of spire (dorsal) 3 B75 394) 28" 250" Saas 
Breadth of base of spire 3°) S34. Bt5)  -32t Soran eae 


Type-series. M 11534/2, Zoological Survey of India (Ind. 
Mus.). 


Limnaea truncatula, Gray. 


1850. Limnaea truncatula, Hutton, fourn. As. Soc. Bengal (2) XVIII, 

p. 656. 
We have seen no specimens from Baluchistan or Seistan, but 
have examined a large series from different parts of the Western 


1g1Q.] N. ANNANDALE & B. PRASHAD: Mollusca. 51 


Himalayas. ‘These specimens provide evidence of much local plas- 
ticity, some agreeing with European shells, others having the form 
of the var. longula figured by von Martens in the report (in Rus- 
sian) on the molluscs in Fedtschenko’s Rezse in Turkestan (vol. 1, 
pl. ii, fig. 26, 1874). Specimens from some Himalayan localities are 
much larger than those from others. 

Hutton states that L. truncatula is common in the marshlands 
bordering the Helmand at Girishk and also in similar situations at 
the Kogrick Pass and at Quetta. ‘The fact that it was not found 
at Quetta in winter is, therefore, interesting. The species seems 
more susceptible to drought and unfavourable conditions than most 
of the genus! and probably conceals itself in cold weather. Had it 
occurred at all commonly in Seistan, however, dead shells would 
probably have been recovered from the recent deposits examined 
at the edge of the Hamun and elsewhere. The presence of a liver- 
fluke of the genus Fasciola in the country does not necessarily 
imply that this mollusc is the intermediate host of the liver-fluke, 
for L. truncatula does not occur in North America and yet Fasciola 
hepatica is prevalent in some districts”; moreover, as Mr. Kemp 
points out in a note appended to this paper, the Seistan liver-fluke 
is not identical with the European one. 


Limnaea hordeum, Mousson. 
(Pie vite fies 55) 
1874. Limnaea hordeum, Mousson, Fourn. Conchyl. XXII, p. 42. 


The shell is extremely small and rather thick, narrowly elon- 
gate but blunt at the apex. Our single specimen is bleached 
white and has a somewhat porcellaneous appearance. There are 
four whorls but the apical one is very small and projects little. 
The suture is impressed and very oblique, so that the spire is much 
shorter in the ventral than in the dorsal view. The third whorl is 
more than 3 times as long as the second and the body-whorl consider- 
ably longer than the spire. ‘The mouth is small and rather narrow, 
almost straight and practically oval, being little contracted and 
not at all pointed posteriorly. The lip is somewhat expanded and 
has a thickened appearance due to a blunt ridge running round it a 
short distance inside the margin. The columella is slightly folded, 
its callus narrowly expanded over the rimate umbilicus. The 
callus is joined posteriorly to the outer lip. The surface of the 
shell is marked with faint longitudinal striae, which are regular 
and set close together. 

We have compared our single specimen with two of Mousson’s 
species from the edge of the river Euphrates and can find no 
difference. The species was originally described from that river. 
Our Mesopotamian specimens are from Nasariyeh. We obtained 
a single dead shell in a drift at the edge of a small pool in the 


! Walton, Parasitology X, p. 243 (1917) 
2 Ward, Fresh Water Biol. N. America, p. 389 (1918). 


52 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


desert some two miles south of Nasratabad in Seistan. The pool 
in flood-time is connected with a branch of the Helmand river. 
The following are the measurements (in millimetres) of our Persian 
specimen :— 


Length ue ss Set § 

Maximum breadth Hs vie 27 
Length of aperture ; ne Bee 
Breadth of aperture ah ao. ea 


Family PLANORBIDAE. 


The three species belonging to this family and known from 
Baluchistan and Seistan are all small and all occur commonly 
throughout Northern India and the adjacent countries. It is with 
some reluctance that we feel obliged to recognize the two groups 
represented by the three species as distinct genera, but they differ 
so much not only in shell but also in anatomy that no other course 
seems possible to us. We assign, therefore, two of the species 
(Planorbis euphraticus, Mousson and P. convexiusculus, Hutton) to 
the genus Gyraulus, Agassiz, and one (Planorbis calathus, Benson) 
to the still more distinct genus Segmentina, Fleming. 


Genus Gyraulus, Agassiz. 


1837. Gyraulus, Agassiz, Nouv. Mem. Soc. Helv. 1 (fide Preston, Faun. 
Brit. Ind. Freshw. Moll., p. 118, 1915). 


In this genus the shell is small, thin, flat, pale, translucent 
or transparent, without strong transverse ribs, with or without 
spiral epidermal cilia, with or without peripheral keel, with few 
whorls, with'a simple lip, without teeth or partitions on the 
internal surface, with a dextral spiral. The radula has the central ~ 
tooth bicuspid and the laterals bi- or tricuspid, the marginals with 
several sharp cusps. The edge of the mantle is not thickened. 
The vas deferens is continued distally into a narrow penis, which 
projects straight into an elongate bulbous chamber or penis-sheath 
and is armed at its termination with a well-developed horny stylet. 

Type-spectes. Planorbis albus, Miller (Palaearctic). 

There has been much confusion about the two species of this 
genus that occur in Baluchistan and Seistan, chiefly because 
conchologists have rarely seen specimens from the original locali- 
ties. The correct names for these species are in our opinion 
G. convexiusculus (Hutton), of which G. saigonensis, Crosse and 
Fischer, is a synonym, and G. euphraticus, Mousson, to which 
Hutton and later Benson applied the preoccupied name Planorbis 
compressus. 


Gyraulus convexiusculus (Hutton). 


1850. Planorbis convexiusculus, Hutton, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal (2), 
XVIII, p. 657. 

1864. Planorbis saigonensis, Crosse and Fischer, Fowrn. de Conchyl., XII, 
p. 362,pl. xii, fig. 7. 


1919. ] N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHapD: Mollusca. 53 


1876. Planorbis convexiusculus, Hanley and Theobald, Conch. Ind., 
p- 48, pl. xcix, figs. 8-10. 

1886. Planorbis convexiusculus, Clessin, Die Fam. Limnaeiden in 
Martini and Chemnitz’s Conch. Cab. (ed. Kiister), p. 127, pl. xvii, 
fig. 9. 

1897. Planorbis compressus, v. Martens, Suss-u. Brackw. Moll. in 
Weber’s, Zool. Ergebn. Niederl. Ost.-Ind. IV, p. 13, pl. 1, figs. 
17-22, pl. xii, figs. 7, 10. 

1909. Planorbis saigonensis, Germain, Rec. Ind. Mus., Lil pe rr: 

1918. Planorbis saigonensis (?), Annandale, Rec. Jnd. Mus., XIV, p. 112, 
pl. xi, fig. 12. 

1919. Planorbis, convexiusculus, id., Rec. Ind. Mus., XV, p. 166. 


ee NS 


Fic. 7.—Shells of Gyraulus from pool in Residency garden, Quetta, 
Baluchistan. 


A. Gyraulus euphraticus, Mousson. B.  G. convexiusculus, Hutton. 


This shell is apparently very like that of G. albus, the type- 
species of the genus, but the whorls are deeper. It rarely exceeds 


54 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo,. XVIII, 


5mm. in maximum diameter. The figure of the mouth in Concho- 
logia Indica is not very good, the upper margin being represented 
as too much elevated. Some variation, however, exists in this 
respect. 

It is undoubtedly to G. convexiusculus and not to Hutton’s 
P. compressus that Crosse and Fischer’s P. saigonensis belongs. 
Specimens from Tibet identified by Germain (who had probably 
had access to the collections described by the latter authors) as 
P. saigonensis agree closely with shells from Quetta, one of the 
type-localities of Hutton’s species. 

The radula has approximately the dental formula I1.9.1.9.11. 
The two cusps of the central tooth are well developed and sharply 
pointed. The inner laterals have two stout, sharply pointed cusps, 
the outer laterals or transitional teeth three. The marginals have 
from four to six similar but more slender cusps. Von Martens’ 
figure of the teeth is on too small a scale to show their structure 
clearly. 

The genitalia (fig. 5 E, p. 40) belong to Simroth’s ' Typus III and 
closely resemble his figure of those of Planorbis vortex in general 
structure. All the ducts are, however, much shorter, the penis- 
sheath is larger and more elongate and the spermatheca smaller 
and also more elongate. 

Planorbis convexiusculus is common with the succeeding 
species among weeds in water-channels and in pools in the reed- 
beds in Seistan, also in ponds near Quetta, where it occasionally 
occurs in large numbers on the muddy bottom of open water- 
channels. It is almost invariably found with P.saigonensis. Its 
geographical range extends from Lower Mesopotamia through 
Eastern Persia, Afghanistan and, Northern India to Upper Burma, 
French Indo-China, China, Japan, and the Malay Archipelago. 

Like many aquatic Pulmonates this species rises to the 
surface of the water in the evening and crawls shell-downwards 
on the surface film. It is, however, apparently unable to swim 
actively in this position as G. euphraticus does (post., p. 56). 


Gyraulus euphraticus, Mousson. 


1834. Planorbis compressus, Hutton (nec Michaud), Fourn. As. Soc. 
Bengal (2) Ill, p. 93. 

1850. Planorbis compressus. id., ibid., XVIII, p. 117. 

1874. Planorbis (Gyraulus) devians var. euphratica, Mousson, Fourn. de 
Conchyl. (3) XIV, p. 44. 

1918. Planorbis saigonensis, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus, XV, p. 166. 

1918. Planorbis satgonensis, id., Mem. As. Soc., Bengal V1, p. 304. 


The shell of this species is so like that of G. convexiusculus, 
and the two are so frequently found together, that we would have 
felt inclined to regard them merely as dimorphic forms had it 


! Simroth, ‘ Mollusca (Weichtiere) ’’ III, p. 502, fig. 165, pl. xxvi, figs. 4, 6 in 
Bronn’s Tier-Reich (1912). 


1919.] N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHaD: Mollusca. 55 


not been for certain differences in the radula and for the fact that 
the habits are to some extent distinct. The shell, as one of us has 
pointed out (op. cit., 1918), differs from that of G. convexiusculus 
not only, as Hutton noted, in being more compressed and more 
strongly carinate, and having the lip and whorls of a slightly 
different shape, but also in being larger, more opaque and more 
coarsely and irregularly sculptured. The last whorl moreover as a 
rule deviates from the spiral of the upper whorls. These charac- 
ters are to some extent variable, but the radula differs in having 
all the teeth narrower, all the laterals tricuspid and the marginals 
with smaller cusps. The genitalia have all the ducts longer than 
those of L. convexiusculus and the spermatheca much larger. 
Otherwise they are very similar. 


(9 19 09,99 9 [ho 
pPrepPperur 7 VA 


Fic. §.—Radular teeth of Planorbidae. 


A. Teeth of Gyraulus euphraticus, Mousson, from Quetta (<5 700): 

B. Teeth of G. convexiusculus, Hutton, from the same locality (x goo). 

C. Teeth of Segmentina calathus (Benson) from swamp near Gurdaspur, 
Punjab (very highly magnified). 


Germain! regards Hutton’s Planorbis compressus as synony- 
mous with P. saigonensis, Crosse and Fischer, but specimens from 
Northern India have the sculpture coarser and more irregular, the 
last whorl more oblique, the mouth larger and more oblique and 
the inner whorls more concave on the lower surface than is shown 
of G. saigonensis in Crosse and Fischer’s? original figure, with 
which specimens agree. Specimens of the carinate form from 
Quetta, however, agree closely with shells of Mousson’s G. devians 
var. euphratica recently collected by Captain C. L. Boulenger in 
Mesopotamia. The species would, therefore, appear to be essen- 
tially a Palaearctic one, but there has been much confusion as to 


eee ee ee ee 


! Rec. Ind. Mus., Ul, p. 117. 
2 Crosse and Fischer, Fourn. de Conchyliologie, XI, p. 362, pl. xitl, fig. 7. 


56 Records of the Indian Museum. EVOL. XVIIE, 


its real distribution. It certainly extends from Mesopotamia to 
the Kiangsu Province of China. 

The habits differ from those of G. convexiusculus in that the 
animal swims actively on the surface in the evening. This we 
recently observed at Chakradharpur in Chota Nagpur, and we 
have been able to confirm the observation in Calcutta. While 
floating shell-downwards like other species of the family with 
its foot applied to the surface film, it moves forward rapidly ina 
jerky manner by repeated strokes of its shell in the water. The 
sole of the foot adheres to the surface-film and the shell is raised 
almost to a horizontal position with its major axis parallel to 
but well below the film. It is then rapidly depressed, so that 
momentarily the axis forms almost a right angle with the surface. 
After this downward stroke it is rapidly raised again to a hori- 
zontal position, and the animal is propelled forwards a little ob- 
liquely. The manoeuvre is frequently repeated, each time with 
a jerk, leverage being provided by the friction between the sole of 
the foot and the surface-film. Doubtiess the flattened, carinate 
form of the shell is of advantage in its use as an oar, and pro- 
bably all species with this character behave in the same way. 
The bacterial “ velum’’, noted in the Burmese species G. velifer,' 
is commonly present in G. euphraticus also. 


Genus Segmentina, Fleming. 
1828. Segmentina, Fleming, Hist. Brit. Anim., p. 270. 


This genus consists like Gyraulus of small or minute, thin- 
shelled species, but the whorls are as a rule of a different form, 
convex above and flattened below and the shell is characterized 
by the production at intervals on the inner surface of the main 
whorl of curious opaque, white, transverse teeth or ridges of an 
enamel-like substance Correlated doubtless with the presence 
of these is the fact that the edge of the mantle is thickened. The 
radula differs from that of Gyraulus in having the teeth narrower 
and with smaller cusps and all the lateral multicuspid. The geni- 
talia are also of a different type in that the penis, though pro- 
duced into the penis-sheath, is directed into it from one side and 
is not provided with a horny stylet. 

Type-species. Planorbis nitidus, Miiller (Palaearctic). 


Segmentina calathus (Benson). 


1850. Planorbis calathus, Benson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (2) V, p. 348. 

1876. Planorbis calathus, Hanley and Theobald, op. cit., pl. xxix, figs. 
4-6. 

1918. Planorbis calathus, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XIV, p. 113. 


The shell is very much like that of the type-species of the 
genus (Planorbis nitidus, Miller), to which it apparently bears 


! Annandale, Rec. /nd. Mus., X1V, p. 112, pl. xi, figs. 7-11. 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE & B. PrAsHaD: Mollusca. 57 


much the same relation as Gyraulus convexiusculus does to G. 
albus. The radula has approximately the formula I3.10.1.10.13. 
The teeth are rather small. The terminal part of the central 
tooth is distinctly bilobed. The inner laterals have six small, 
sharp cusps, the other teeth of the same series five. The inner 
marginals have six cusps very similar to those of the inner later- 
als, while the outer marginals have seven cusps, the central cusp 
being considerably larger than the others. 

Our material is not well preserved for anatomical investiga- 
tions, but in a specimen from the Punjab the terminal part of 
the male duct belongs to Simroth’s Typus II. ‘The blind sac-like 
appendages shown in his diagram (op. cit., p. 502, fig. 165) are, 
however, very poorly developed. 

The species is common in swamps in Northern India, but 
somewhat local in its distribution. It is recorded from several 
places in the Himalayas, Bengal, Assam, Burma, Ceylon and 
Siam. Oneof us recently found it to be common in a swamp near 
Peshawar on the North-West Frontier of India and also obtained 
a specimen in a similar situation at Gurdaspur in the Punjab. 
Two dead and whitened shells were found at the edge of a pool in 
the desert near Nasratabad, Seistan. The shells are very small, 
but otherwise fairly typical. 


Crass LAMELLIBRANCHIA (==PELECYpopa). 


This class is represented in our collections from Seistan and 
Baluchistan by large series of specimens of two species, Corbicula 
fluminalis (Miller) and Lamellidens marginalts (Iramarck). Hutton 
(Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, XVIII, p. 659: 1850) has described under 
the name Pisidium paludosum a third species from Chaman, now 
on the Afghan frontier of Northern Afghanistan, but we have seen 
no shells of this form. It may be a young Corbicula. 

Corbicula fluminalis, which also occurs in ponds and streams 
at Quetta, and the Unzo are both so abundant in Seistan, both 
recent and subfossil, that their shells are a feature of the country. 
They are found lying on the surface, wherever the land is occa- 
sionally flooded, in thousands and the banks of ancient streams 
and lakes are full of the shells of Corbicula. This is the case at 
many places now completely desert. Though the shells are fre- 
quently bleached and sometimes wind-worn and sand-eroded, they 
are usually in a remarkably perfect condition. 


Family CYRENIDAE. 


Genus Corbicula, Megerb. 


This genus provides many difficult problems in taxonomy, 
increased by the fact that there is no recent, well-illustrated 
monograph. Undoubtedly many of the socalled species now 
generally accepted will have to retire into the synonymy of others. 


58 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Corbicula fluminalis (Miiller). 
(Pl. viti, figs. 1-6.) 


4. Tellina fluminalis, Miller, Verm. terr. et fluv. Hist. \I, p. 205. 
8. Cyrenacor, Lamarck, Anim. sans. Vert. V, p. 552. 
4. Cyrena crassula, Mousson, Bellardi’s Cat., p. 54 
4. Corbicula cor, Prime, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. York, VIII, p 7, 
fig. 8. 
1866. Corbicula ecrassula, id., ibid., p- 216, figs. 44, 45. 
1883. Corbicula fluminalis+C. crassula, Locard, Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. 
Lyon III, pp. 222, 256, 258, pl. xxi, figs. 17, 18, 25, 26. 
1913. Corbicula fluminalis, with var. cor, Germain, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. 
(Paris), p. 472. 

The species is a very variable and plastic one and has a very 
wide geographical range in Africa and Asia. It was originally 
described from the Euphrates. We have examined a large series 
of fresh and subfossil shells from Seistan, the Afghan desert and 
Northern Baluchistan. Those from the Afghan desert were col- 
lected by the Seistan Boundary Commission of 1902-1903. Several 
small shells were also obtained in a spring of distinctly brackish 
water at Saindak in the west of the Baluchistan desert. In most 
of the series comprised in this collection, including those of fresh 
shells from the Hamun-i-Helmand, the specimens can be separated 
easily enough into two groups, one agreeing well enough with the 
majority of sheils from the Euphrates, the other with the breadth 
proportionately narrower and the umbonal region more prominent. 
The former form is undoubtedly the true Tellina fluminalis of 
Miiller, while the latter agrees closely with Prime’s figures of 
Corbicula cor (amarck). In one large series from the desert on 
the banks of the Helmand in Afghan territory some of the shells 
are still narrower and come very near the same author’s figures 
of Corbicula crassula, Mousson; while in several series shells inter- 
mediate between C. fluminalis and C. cor, C. cor and C. crassula 
are readily selected. C. cor and C. crassula may, therefore, be 
recognized at most as varieties, if this be convenient, but not as 
distinct species. 

All the shells we have examined from Mesopotamia, Seistan 
or Persia are small, and the species in Asia Minor (in which also, 
however, it is (fide Locard) plastic in size) apparently attains larger 
dimensions in favourable circumstances. The largest fresh speci- 
mens we obtained in Seistan is a single valve 27°5 mm. broad 
by 24°5 mm. high. It exhibits an interesting abnormality in the 
hinge, in which only one, the central, cardinal tooth is developed. 
The colour of the periostracum varies from bright green to black ; 
that of the inner surface is violet. Mesopotamian shells are often 
decorated with broad, whitish, transverse bars externally. 

The species commonly hides itself in mud or sand in winter. 
We found very few living examples in Seistan, in spite of the 
abundance of fresh shells everywhere. Several living individuals 
were, however, dug from mud at the bottom of small pools in the 
Randa stream near Jellalabad, about 12 miles north of Nasratabad, 
in November. 


1919.] N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHAD: Mollusca. 59 


Family UNIONIDAE. 
Genus Lamellidens, Simpson. 


1900. Lamellidens, Simpson, Proc. Nat. Mus.(Washington), XXII, p. 854. 
1911. Lamellidens, Ortmann, Nautilus, XXIV, p, 106 
1918. Lamellidens, Prashad, Rec. /nd. Mus. XV, p- 145. 
1919. Lamellidens, id., ibid., XVI, p. 293, fig. 4. 
The occurrence of this genus in Seistan proves the existence 
of a distinct Indian element in the fauna. 


Lamellidens marginalis, Lamarck. 
Subsp. rhadinaeus, nov. 
(Pl.ifi, figs; 9,10; plowilietes..7 Pr.) 


Shells from Seistan only differ from those of the forma typica 
from Bengal in a few particulars, but the differences are constant 
in a large series. In shape the shell is somewhat variable, but is 
close to that of the var. corrianus, Lea, being more transverse and 
having the upper margin straighter than that of the forma typica. 
In this respect it is intermediate between the two varieties. It is 
slightly more tumid than either and in old shells one or other of 
the valves is as a rule bent outwards slightly at the point at which 
the foot emerges, causing the shell to gape at this point. The 
sculpture of the young shells is finer and sharper than in the com- 
mon Indian varieties. The teeth of the hinge are more prominent 
than in either form, the pseudocardinals stouter and the laterals 
more bent. In their stoutness the teeth approach those of the spe- 
cies or variety L. jenkinsonianus (Benson) of Bengal and Assam. 

The older part of the shell is pale cream-colour or silver-grey 
externally. This usually deepens, as the shell grows, to chestnut, 
and sometimes even to black. Some shells, however, are pale 
greenish; there is usually at least one pale yellowish zone on the 
darker region, and the margin is sometimes pale. The nacre is 
bluish white and has a china-like lustre with very little iridescence. 

Two phases can be distinguished, the difference being visible 
even in very young shells. 

Phase A.—The shell is of considerable size and thickness, 
with the growth-lines strongly developed, the epidermis of the 
lower part dark and the hinge-teeth unusually stout and prominent, 
approaching those of some species of Unio in development. 

Phase B.—The shell is smaller, thinner, less inflated and paler 
in colour and the hinge-teeth are less stout and not so prominent. 

The young shell seems to be slightly more elongate in phase B 
than in phase A and is distinctly smoother in the former. It does 
not differ in essential characters from that of the typical form of 
the species, but has the sculpture less well developed ; it is rather 
shorter in proportion than that of the var. corrianus. Its sculp- 
ture is very well preserved even in old shells, the glochidial shell 
often remaining as a minute tubercle. When about 25 mm. long 
the shell has a fairly prominent dorsal “‘ wing” and is thin, almost 
translucent and of a greyish colour. 


60 Records of the Indian Museum, [VoL. XViar 


Measurements of Shells (in millimetres). 
Specimens A—C belong to phase A: specimens D—F to phase B. 


A B C D E F 


Length 07:84. 968 2790321271 1407 30. 15 ato 
Height 55.5) 40°9-47 6.304 3078 20g 
Thickness BTA Boies 3BNe t25 25°3.. 160% 


Lamellidens marginalis subsp. rhadinaeus is common all over 


SP eS ad SURG 
SSE RET SEN. 


"oe ve, < <5 Pp fOr . 
LO OE SS 
yore f 


Ste, 
et 


FG. 9.—Shells Lamellidens marginalis rhadinaeus, subsp. nov. (natural size). 


A. Dorsal view of type-specimen from a backwater of an effluent of the 
Helmand near Nasratabad, Seistan. 
B. Hinges and scars of the same specimen. 


Seistan and broken shells from the Afghan desert evidently belong 
to the same form. It appears to be quite distinct from the var. 
candaharica, with specimens of which we have compared our series. 
The range of the species, which is a very plastic one, is more 


1919. ] N. ANNANDALE & B. PRASsHAD: Mollusca. 61 


extensive than Simpson (oP. cit., p.855) stated, extending from the 
mountains of Afghanistan to Ceylon and from Seistan to Burma, 
possibly even to Java and South China. 

Dead shells were found in very large numbers at the following 
places in Seistan :—at the edge of the Hamun near Lab-i-Baring, 
in pools in the desert near Nasratabad, in the bed of Randa 
stream near Jellalabad about twelve miles to the north and in a 
large backwater of an effluent of the Helmand some miles to the 
south-east of the capital. They were also observed on the surface 
and buried in the stiff clay of open plains near Jellalabad which 
are periodically flooded. Specimens from still water, including the 
Hamun, belong to phase B. those from water directly connected 
with larger streams to phase A. 

All these shells were in a remarkably good state of preserva- 
tion, and their surface was not at all eroded. In many instances 
the valves adhered tightly together and the molluscs had every 
appearance of being alive. Indeed, many of them were brought 
us as containing the animal by herdsmen at Lab-i-Baring, and 
the people were evidently surprised when we opened them and 
found only mud inside. It is probable that the animal burrows 
deep into the mud at the approach of winter and in this connec- 
tion the gape in the lower margin of the shell of many old indivi- 
duals is of considerable interest, indicating that the foot is particu- 
larly large and powerful. 

The shells give an indication of the age which the form habi- 
tually reaches, but this indication is open to two interpretations. 
On all the larger shells examined three very distinct regions can be 
distinguished. Round the umbo there is a region about 25 mm. 
wide by 13 mm. high in alarge shell. The sculpture of this region, 
though clear-cut, is almost microscopic. It includes the nodulose 
and sloping ridges characteristic of the species, and also numerous 
(about 16) concentric longitudinal striae, each of which is com- 
pound. This region has a smooth appearance as a whole and is 
always of a pale colour. The next region is a broad band about 
60 mm. broad by 24 mm. high in a large shell. Its general appear- 
ance is similar to the first region, but the epidermis becomes darker 
towards the lower margin, and it bears about the same number of 
compound striae. The third or outer region is about 30 mm. deep 
and occupies the full width of the shell. It has a much rougher 
appearance than the other two and bears four to six bands or 
groups of compound striae separated by smooth grooves. We are 
able to state definitely that the first region represents the growth 
of more than a year From the situations in which fresh shells are 
found in winter, where we may confidently believe they occur living 
in the flood-season, it is clear that the animal commonly undergoes 
a fairly prolonged period of hibernation, and in all probability it 
breeds when the floods are at their height in April or May. We 
found several shells in November that correspond precisely with 
the first region in the adult shells, and one of them still contained 
remains of the soft parts. Allowing for the period of free larval 


62 Records oj the Indian Museum. [ VoL. <VELE, 


and parasitic life, it is improbable that the shell would grow 
25 mm. in one season, and we take it that these young shells repre- 
sent the growth of something more than a year, probably about 
eighteen months. The second region probably represents that of 
one year more, but does the third region correspond to the growth 
of one year or of six? Probably of one, to judge from the striae 
on a large series of shells. If this be so, Lamellidens marginalis 
yhadinaeus probably lives as a rule for a little over three years and 
then dies directly or indirectly of old age. The great majority of 
the shells collected must, if our surmises are correct, have been of 
this age, and the animals through weakness ot for some other 
reason, have failed to burrow down to the subsoil water through 
the very stiff clay on the bottom of the basins in which they lived, 
when the water began to dry up with the retreat of the floods. 


NOTE ON THE LIVER-FLUKE OF SHEEP IN SEISTAN, 
By STANLEY Kemp, B.A. 


When in Seistan we were informed that both sheep and cattle 
are frequently infected by a liver-fluke which causes a heavy 
mortality at certain places in the early summer of each year. On 
enquiry we learnt that the Seistanis associated this parasite with 
the fact that when the annual floods recede the flocks are grazed on 
the peculiar vegetation that springs up on recently inundated land. 

I was able (in December) to examine the livers of three sheep, 
the bile-ducts of two of which contained flukes of the genus 
Fasciola, s.s. In one of the livers the worms were unfortunately 
dead and in a putrefying condition. The other contained eleven 
specimens, all of which were alive. 

Unfortunately the literature on this genus is poorly repre- 
sented in our Calcutta libraries and several important American 
memoirs on the subject are lacking. Notwithstanding this fact, 
however, there appears to be little doubt as to the specific identity 
of the Seistan form, for most of our specimens agree in every parti- 
cular except size with the excellent figures of Cobbold’s Fasciola 
gigantea, reproduced from Looss by Stevens in ‘‘ The Animal Para- 
sites of Man (London, 1916). 

The chief characters by which this species is distinguished from 
Fasciola hepatica are the following :— 


(i) The form is generally much more elongate and band- 
like instead of leaf-shaped, the tapering of the pos- 
terior extremity being confined to a very small area. 

(ii) The cephalic cone is considerably shorter in proportion 
to the length of the whole organism. 

(iii) The posterior sucker is larger and more prominent and 
is situated on a line with the junction of the cephalic 
cone and body, instead of well behind the cone. 


1919. ] S. Kemp: Liver-fluke of Sheep. 63 


(iv) The main lateral diverticula of the gut are considerably 
more numerous. 

(v) The posterior testis does not extend to the posterior 
third of the body. 

(vi) The eggs are larger. 


In all these characters except the first our Persian specimens 
are constant. In eight of the specimens the length varies from 38 
to 43 mm. and the breadth from 9 to II mm., the proportion of 
length to breadth being from 3°5 to 4°4. Two specimens are 
damaged. The remaining individual is abnormal in form; its 
length is 28 mm., its breadth 12 mm. and it is leaf-shaped in outline. 
In structural characters, however, it is identical with other indivi- 
duals from the same sheep. ; 

The eggs are approximately 156 to 173 p» in length and 86 to 
95 » in breadth. 

The small size of the specimens may possibly be due to the 
fact that they were examined before they had attained their full 
dimensions, though they were sexually mature. We were, indeed, 
informed by the sergeant in charge of the slaughtering of sheep for 
the troops at Nasratabad that he had noticed very much larger 
individuals later in the year. 

In my examination of freshwater snails in Seistan I found no 
cercariae that could be associated with Fasciola, probably because 
the incidence of the parasite in the molluscan host is seasonal. 
Judging, however, from the abundance of shells in the soil of 
inundated land at the edge of the Hamun, the intermediate host is 
probably Limnaea gedrosiana, Annandale and Prashad. As this 
molluse is also common in the hill-country of Baluchistan it would 
be interesting to know whether the fluke occurs there also. 

So far as we are aware F gigantea has not hitherto been 
recorded from Asia. Looss cites F. angusta (Railliet) and F. ae- 
gypttaca, Looss, as synonyms! and states that the species is widely 
distributed in Northern Africa, including Egypt. It is said to 
have occurred accidentally in man in South America. 


! Looss, Zool. Fahrb., Syst., XVI, p. 783 (1902). 


id 


ds 


a6 
Tk: ’ 
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pitie Pile Pra in I ane ; any 
a ey Rp sways Ske A oe a roy ies a 
mn ba hein Sa) A aera weg ‘ell teeta 


a ry 

Ed 

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: Ao % OS 3 Svs q 
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= a ey ‘ sa 
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Vie \o ohh 
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tts dws int 7 
Pag EG 
at b 4 it: Sere i Hae ances leondei ake 
= ee bedre e ce Uap Utigtwn hy: 


oe wae oF al Bae at pruber tea Bug bee 

F iy é ; a oe A wa =H id* Sh PSN } 
ee eee abe 2: Fae 

. tm Phebe te eee yt: ee sat, phen 
7 "* aad eee cee eae 
Ta ee or vas | * elite? VY advan eel me “ea arte 
ee 22) niente ae 


“ae i Oey wie 


mae) ey eR we ore aiate wae 


ai oe e qq) ausaset ate Eras: Vkers 


Se ge ICIS “ahr” Silt ly Atl heroes a re 


oie: iS Sa ia =F yh ts ae Gaye 


; e i a ie ican a 
- é tS | ge a ve 
as ; a ey eae f 


. | So <i ance < 


; Mager Be ons dts: ny Zoek eee 


= wine. oe ay Pe ts 
oS fret bain il sini em 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE Tr: 
FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF BALUCHISTAN AND SEISTAN. 


The natural size of the shells is indicated by vertical or trans- 
verse lines. 


Amnicola (Alocinma) sistanica, subgen. et sp. nov. 


Fics. 1-4.—Shells from Seistan, illustrating variations in 
form. 
Fic. 5.—Operculum as seen from within (X about 10). 


Melanoides pyramis var. flavida (Nevill). 


Fic. 6.— Animal removed from shell (xX 2). 


Melanoides scabra var. elegans (Hutton). 


Fic. 7.—Shell from Sunderbans, Bengal. 


Melanopsis deserticola, sp. nov. 


Fic. 8.—Type-specimen from Kaindak, Persian Baluchistan. 


Lamellidens marginalis, subsp. rhadinaeus, subsp. nov. 


Fic. 9.—Young shell of phase B from a pool in the desert 
near Nasratabad, Seistan. 
,, 10.—Young shell of phase A from the Hamun-i-Helmand 
near Lab-i-Baring, Seistan. 


Lamellidens marginalis var. corrianus (Lea). 


Fic. 11.—Young shell from a pond on the Calcutta Maidan. 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. Plate Ill. 


MOLLUSCA OF BALUCHISTAN & SEISTAN. 


D. Bagchi & A. Chowdhary del. 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV. 


MELANOIDES TUBERCULATA (MULLER), M. PyRAMIS (HuTTON) 
AND M. TIGRINA (HUTTON). 


The natural length of shells is indicated by vertical lines. 


Melanoidés tuberculata (Miiller). 


Fic. 1.—Shell from the Hosansagar tank, Secunderabad, 
Deccan. 


Melanoides tigrina (Hutton). 
Fic. 2.—Shell from Quetta, Baluchistan. 


Melanoides pyramis (Hutton). 
Fic. 3.—Dead shell from Quetta, Baluchistan. 


Melanoides pyramis var. leopardina, var. nov. 


Fic. 4.—Shell from Poona, Bombay Presidency. 


Melanoides pyramis var. luteomarginata (Nevill). 


Fic. 5.—-Shell from type-series; Persian Baluchistan. 


Melanoides pyramis var. flavida (Nevill). 
Fic. 6.—Shell from a spring at Hurmuk on the Perso-Afghan- 
Baluch frontier. 
Melanoides pyramis var. puteicola, var. nov. 


Fics. 7, 8.—Shell from type-series from a well at Ferozepore, 
Punjab. 


RHC. IND MUS., VOL. XWEkc~ tots: PLATE IV. 


ort catty 


sere 


dat the OMeces of the Survey of India, Caleutta, 1919. 


Photo.-engraved & pri 


INDIAN AND PERSIAN SPECIES OF MELANOIDES. 


A. ©. Chowdhary, del. 


i= 7 ac 
oe) Pe re relia, 
* cet, ae 


: 
. 
* 
cms 
a 
r 
» 


Ya 7 ~ e 


a 0 


¥ ey 7 oe 
See A i 
+ - 
7 i - 


Pe) wy hae ey, re) 95 MAST Aad 


mec, wire Tyr i ee a Ate 


f2 


- = tae. 

Peete Se hdekks = Rt fie end ee eT a tse 
etd ts§. Pi yosala) =i | | ie oe LOS 4 a a oy 
Bes Bey) ee! 
: “ae ee | me iy! : : es 
A Pp “ a 

- 
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: 
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—_ 7 = 
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—_ 
= 


- 


i 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE V. 
LIMNAEAE OF BALUCHISTAN AND SEISTAN. 


Limnaea bactriana, Hutton. 


Fics. 1, 2.—Shells from a water-channel, Nasratabad, Seistan. 


Limnaea persica, Issel. 


Fics. 3, 4.—Shells from near Kerman, Eastern Persia. 
5, 6.—Shells from the Zanginawar Lakes in the Balu- 
chistan desert near Nushki. 


+) 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. 


Plate V. 


LIMNAEIDAE OF SEISTAN AND BALUCHISTAN. 


A. Chowdhary del. 


ial ic : soem —_ oe 
A ire oe ; 
A »* Jf? ‘. i 
7 Z ’ 4 
, 
Nor, 
n) - 
- Vaan 
ye ays TO VOVAR aaa 
Shy swan nile ODP eae he 
ey qa Wh Hijlieoted sO. 
Hy . Py rye | | 
Wh a eLert a) be mess i 4 ' é pth et wv it is 
a - th lak 
4 Se & Oar by 6 ni inou ALO tes PUD CoP rN 
, e a ‘ Lom lee ii 4 ’ Tiny HNGsOae yy —— 7 
Be = 
av 
: _ it ~ 
: 
_ a) 7 
: = -* <a 
> s 


2 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE VI. 


Limnaea gedrosiana var. rectilabrum, var. nov. 


Fics. 1-3.—Shells from the Kushdil Khan reservoir, Pishin 
District, Northern Baluchistan. 
4, 6.—Shells from a pool in the desert near Nasratabad, 
Seistan. 
Fic. 5.—Young shell from the edge of a backwater of a large 
water-channel in the same district. 


+) 


Plate VI. 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. 


‘NVLSIHONTVE GNV NVLSISS JO AVGIAYNIIT 


‘}9p Aseypmoy 


OV 


i a 
Aint Fa *%. 


ay » ee 
Lt, Fx ee bone a ite 


i a 7 a 
oie», = © | “5 ee Pe 
KC Toei ie iy ee re 7 rey IR oe 
Sf a i J 


WA By AV: At BAL 


PENT, want ie fate ih 


Seda canntntl _ 
“et “) ARG ° 
liek anes ot: — er reat 


Lo 


. | us 


e.,. Vol ad sesieicberth) Sant 
=. Rabi” oy ni bron -£ Le te = a h)) Hotta ar a ie 
iF “2 7 os if : pele rare hi % i iJ ASU Wik : : 
Bangi vii PAGS SG EU eters OF OT eT ee ab gs a: 
ae — 0 ; a) 


- 1h. Vea 


: a Ao TOL Re rst 7 


peta opel #7 As ie “isk 


: ; 
Pe ecl Fa awit: ifn] e 
So 
=— 


Tied) a} Neg © iy 
v4 i? hid 4 
ities enti id 


SUBUNIT By) Yi! ites nnay= 0 ord 


. 


-* pre 
., aes 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE VII. 
LIMNAEAE OF BALUCHISTAN AND SEISTAN. 


Limnaea iranica, sp. nov. 


Fic. I.—Type-specimen from Persian Baluchistan. 


Limnaea gedrosiana, sp. nov. 


Fic. 2.—-Shell (type-series) from a pond in the Residency 
garden, Quetta, Baluchistan. 

FIGs. 3, 4.—Shells from the reed-beds of the Hamun-i-Helmand 
near Lab-i-Baring. 


Limnaea hordeum, Mousson. 
Fic. 5.—Shell (? subfossil) from the desert near Nasratabad, 
Seistan. 
Limnaea bactriana, Hutton. 


Fic. 6.—Young shell from the desert near Nasratabad. 


Plate VII. 


REG. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. 


‘NVISIHONTVE GNV NVLSIAS 40 AVGISWNWIT 


"9p AIBYPMOY 


‘ 


) 


Vv 


EXPLANATION ©OF PLATE Vil: 


LAMELLIBRANCH MOLLUSCS OF SEISTAN AND THE AFGHAN 
DESERT. 
Corbicula fluminalis (Miller). 


Fics. I1-6.—A series of shells from the edge of the Helmand 
in the Afghan desert, illustrating variation in 
form and size. 


Lamellidens marginalis, subsp. rhadinaeus, subsp. nov. 


Fic. 7.—Type-specimen (phase A) from the desert near Nas- 


ratabad, Seistan. 
Fics. 8-11.—A series of shells of different ages from the 
Hamun-i-Helmand near Lab-i-Baring. 


All the shells are shown of the natural size. 


Rec. IND. Mus., Vou. XVIII, 1919. 


PLATE VIII. 


Ss. C. Mondul photo. 


MOLLUSCA OF THE HELMAND. 


NOTES ON FISH OF THE CENUS DISCOG- 
NATHUS FROM INDIA AND PH RSEA, 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Director, Zoological Survey 
of India. 


(With Plates IX—-XI.) 

Although it is only a few months since I published notes on 
the Indian species of this genus,! a large amount of additional 
material is already available and I have been able to examine 
living specimens in districts so far apart as Seistan in Eastern 
Persia and the Nilgiri Hills in Southern India. The latter district 
is particularly important as it is the type locality for several of 
the forms described by Jerdon and Day. It is not yet possible to 
clear up all the difficulties concerning the Indian species and much 
more material is still necessary before the Assamese and Burmese 
forms can be adequately discussed, but I hope that these notes 
may lead to further investigation of the genus, which is a particu- 
larly interesting one from a biological point of view. 

In my former notes I neglected to mention the species des- 
cribed by Tate Regan from the North Western Frontier of India 
under the name Discognathus wanae,* aud I gave no reference to 
the Persian form described by Berg as Garra persica.’ The latter 
is probably a local race of D. lamta, but the former seems to be a 
very distinct species. 

Two species from South India have been brought to my 
notice too late to be discussed in this paper. They will be des- 
cribed shortly by Mr. C. R. Narayan Rao under the names D. 
platycephalus and D. bicornutus. ‘These species must be attributed 
to Mr. Narayan Rao, but I have noted some of their more salient 
characters in the key to the species printed here. These charac- 
ters he has demonstrated to me. 

The genus as a whole falls into two sections, distinguished by 
the degree of differentiation of the adhesive disk behind the mouth 
on the ventral surface. Both these sections are found in Africa 
as well as in Asia and both extend into the Palaearctic part of the 
latter continent, but the most highly differentiated forms occur 
mainly in India and Malaysia, in which countries those with the 
simpler type of disk are practically absent. Among those in which 
the disk is best developed, a secondary differentiation occurs in 


1 Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XVI, pp. 113, 129 (1919). 
* Tate Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) XIII, p. 263, fig. A (1914). 
3 Berg, Ann. Mus. Zool. St. Petersbourg XVIII, p. xi (1913). 


66 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor; X Vitae 


certain species in the naked chest and the specialization of the 
muscles of the thorax. In the following key I have made use of 
the first of these characters in my primary division and of the 
second in the first secondary division. It is possible that the two 
primary groups will have to be regarded ultimately as distinct 
genera. 


Key to the Indian and Persian species of Discognathus. 


I. Mental disk small, less than half as broad as head, without a 
specialized posterior border; margins of opercula meeting in 
the middle line well behind the disk. 

A. Disk very imperfectly differentiated, without free pee 


border; barbels 4; chest covered with scales D. adiscus. 
B. Disk with posterior border free but lateral borders not so: 

barbels 4; chest covered with scales D. wanae. 
C. Disk with both lateral and posterior margins ‘free ; 2 bar- 

bels ; the whole of the ventral surface naked D. phryne. 


Il. Disk large, more than half as bread as head, with a free lat- 
eral and posterior granular border, entirely or almost separat- 
ing the opercular margins. 
A. Chest covered with scales, not much flattened ; its muscles 
not highly differentiated. 
tr. Nobarbels. Zid. 44 .. ese . D. imberbis. 
2. 4barbels. J/.1. 36-41. 
a. Pupil of eye in middle or anterior half of head: eye 
usually visible from below; snout tuberculate in male 
but not forming a very distinct process. 
i. Opercular borders approaching one another at an 
obtuse angle on the ventral surface, widely separated 
by mental disk D. lamta. 
. Opercular borders approaching one another closely 
at an acute angle behind the mental disk ; disk sub- 
circular ws, Di potyla: 
b. Pupil of eye distinctly in posterior half of head ; eye 
(except in D. gravelyi) invisible from below. 
. Snout moderately rounded, more or less produced and 
tuberculate, at any rate in adult male, immediately 
in front of or outside nostrils. 
a. Snout forming a single free conical process in front 
of nostrils in all individuals ; opercular borders ap- 
proaching one another at an acute angle on the ven- 
tral surface ; length of head nearly 5 times in total 


length * .. D.stenorhyn- 
g. Snout produced into a pair of conical processes, chus. 

one outside each pair of nostrils a3 . D. bicornu- 
y. Snout produced in male only; its process single, tus. 


usually shorter than in a; opercular margins nearly 

transverse and widely separated on ventral surface ; 

length of head at least 54 times in total Jength ... D. jerdoni. 
. Snout bluntly pointed, never produced in iront of or 

outside nostril ; slightly retroverted at tip. 

a. Dorsal profile from tip of snout to behind dorsal fin 

forming an even rather high curve; depth of body 

5 times in total length . a .. D. gravelyt. 
8. Dorsal profile nearly straight ; that of head sinu- 

ous ; depth of body (in adult) nearly 7 times in 


total length ae. D. elegans. 
. Top of head obliquely flattened ; profile of head and 
anterior part of body a slanting straight line ... D. platyce- 
phalus. 


B. Chest naked, flattened, with specialized muscles. 


1919. ] N. ANNANDALE: Fish from India and Persia. 67 


1. Pectoral fins hardly longer than head, not nearly reaching 


ventrals rs Sie = ... D. nasutus. 
2. Pectorals distinctly longer than head, nearly reaching ven- 
trals ee oe A .... D. macrochir. 


SECTION I.—Gyroup of Discognathus variabilis. 
1863. Discognathus (s.s.), Bleeker, Atl. Ichth. II], p. 24. 


In this group the adhesive apparatus on the ventral surface 
of the head is comparatively little differentiated, the snout projects 
little beyond it, and the general facies of the fish is less peculiar, the 
ventral surface being less flattened and the caudal peduncle more dis- 
tinct. As Boulenger has pointed out in discussing an African 
species (D. quadrimaculatus ') belonging to the group, it has a close 
resemblance to the eastern Asiatic genus Crossochilus, a genus 
which, according to most recent authors, is not found west or 
north of the Malay Peninsula; but there is a distinct difference in 
the structure of the mouth and in particular of the lower lip.» In 
this section of Discognathus, as also in the other species, the jaws 
are much less sharp than in Crossochtlus and are never horny or 
bony, but always cartilaginous and covered with a thin epithelium. 
The upper lip is joined to the lower lip directly by a frenulum, but 
the lower lip itself is vestigial, disappearing entirely in most 
species in the middle of the jaw, though in some, as in D, phryne, 
it is represented by a delicate fold of integument that may be ex- 
tended over the whole jaw. The transverse band of tissue which 
stretches in many species across the anterior margin of the mental 
disk just behind the lower jaw appears to be quite distinct, as is 
shown by the condition in D. phryne, from the lower lip. It is 
this band of tissue, however, which is labelled /.J. in my figure on 
p. 114, Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. XVI. The snout does not appear to 
be produced or tuberculate in any of these species. 

It is possible that Discognathus is derived from Crossochilus 
and that the species of the first section are closely related gene- 
tically to that genus. The geographical difficulty is not so great 
as might appear at first sight, for the species Cirrhina latia is 
closely related to Cyrossochilus, in which indeed it is placed by 
Giinther* and Vinciguerra,* and the range of Cirrhina latia ex- 
tends from Upper Burma to Baluchistan. 

The eponymous species of this group is found in Palestine and 
Mesopotamia. The three discussed here occur in the extreme east 
of Persia or on the North West Frontier of India, while D. quadri- 
maculatus is recorded from various lakes and rivers in the upper 
watershed of the Nile and D. vinciguerrae (which, so far as I can 
judge from Boulenger’s figure,> also belongs to the group) from 


5 Boulenger, Fish. Nile, p. 185, pl. xxxi, fig. 4 (1907), and Cat. Fresh-w. 
Fish. Africa \, p. 347, fig. 261 (1909). 


68 Records of the Indian Museum. fvior. “vay 


Discognathus adiscus, sp. nov. 
(PIX Mio NOEs pla iene) 

L. 1.36—385 9 D532) Sew ese 

This is a small species of slender habit. The dorsal profile 
from the tip of the snout to behind the dorsal fin is strongly and 
evenly arched; that of the caudal peduncle slightly concave. The 
ventral profile as far as the base of the caudal peduncle is convex. 
The head is of moderate size, its length contained about 5 to 54 
times in the actual total length. It is somewhat flattened above. 
The snout is rounded and smooth. It is shorter than the part of 
the head behind the eye. The nostril is situated nearer the tip of 
the snout than the eye. The eye is large and rather prominent ; 
its length contained about 34 times in the length of the head, and 
a little less than twice in the interorbital breadth; it is not visible 
from below. ‘The pupil is situated near the middle of the head, 
and the upper margin of the eye near the dorsal profile. The 
mouth is large and almost straight. It is situated only a short 
distance behind the tip of the snout. The upper lip is well 
developed, covering the upper jaw, fringed at the margin and 
minutely granular. There are 4 short barbels. The lower lip 
properly so called is only developed at the sides and there is no 
transverse band of specialized structure behind the lower jaw, 
which is fully exposed. The mental disk is very imperfectly 
developed. It consists of a granular pad truncate or subtruncate 
in front, free at the sides, and more or less emarginate, but not 
free, posteriorly. The margins of the opercula meet at an acute 
angle on the mid-ventral line some distance behind it and the 
branchial openings extend well on to the ventral surface. The 
dorsal fin is nearly as high as the body. Its last undivided ray is 
cartilaginous and articulated. The pectorals, which do not nearly 
reach the ventrals, are rather narrow, pointed and distinctly 
shorter than the head. The caudal is long, distinctly lobed and 
with the lobes pointed. The scales are well developed but some- 
what deciduous. They cover the whole of the body. There are 
54 scales between the lateral line and the dorsal, and 4 between 
the former and the ventral. : 

The pharyngeal bones and their teeth closely resemble those 
of D. phryne (v. postea), but the teeth are more slender. 

The dorsal margin is pale bluish grey ; there is a more or less 
distinct bluish mid-lateral streak, running from behind the head to 
the base of the caudal fin. The lower part of the head and sides 
and the ventral surface are yellowish-white. 

Type-specimen, No. 2785 F, Z.S.1. (Ind. Mus.). 

Distribution.—This fish is extremely abundant in small water- 
courses and pools in the plains of Seistan. We obtained speci- 
mens from the following localities :—Nasratabad, irrigation chan- 
nel in Consulate garden; pool in the desert 5 miles south of 
Nasratabad; pools in stream-bed 12 miles north of Nasratabad ; 
channels in the reed-beds of the Hamun-i-Helmand near Lab-i- 


1910. | N. ANNANDALE: Fish from India and Persia. 69 


Baring, and channel leading out of the Hamun 12 miles east of 
Iab-i-Baring ; small watercourse, Lutak, southern Seistan. 

Habtts.—D. adiscus is gregarious and always lives in large 
shoals. In the day-time it stays at the bottom, feeding apparent- 
ly on algae, but in the evening I have seen shoals swimming on 
the surface. All the individuals we found in the Hamun, which 
were not numerous, were dead or dying, and we found enormous 
numbers in a moribund condition, in which they floated on the 
surface, in pools of very foul water in a stream-bed north of 
Nasratabad. We did not find the fish in any but still or slow- 
running water. 

I have placed this species in the genus Dzscognathus with 
some doubt, but I do not know where else to placeit. The mouth 
differs distinctly from that of both Cirrhina and Crossochilus, 
though the structure of the gill-openings resembles that found in 
these genera. Moreover, the mental disk, though poorly developed 
and differing in shape from that of other species, is present, and 
the general facies is not unlike that of D. quadrimaculatus. On 
the whole I think that the species must be accepted as an ex- 
tremely primitive representative of Discognathus. If this be so, 
its provenance, together with that of the other primitive species D. 
variabilis, D. phryne and I). wanae, would suggest that the genus 
perhaps originated in South Western Asia. It is noteworthy that 
it does not occur in Central Asia, and possibly the African species 
that are apparently allied, may be degenerate rather than primitive. 
Without examininig specimens I cannot express an opinion on 
this point. 

Discognathus wanae, Regan.! 


“Depth of body 4 in the length, length of head 44 to 42. Snout 
rounded, nearly as long as postorbital part of head; diameter of 
eye 5 in length of head; interorbital region flat, its width nearly 
4 length of head. Width of mouth + length of head; two barbels 
‘on each side, shorter than diameter of eye. Upper lip with 
minute papillae near the margin; lower very narrow; behind it a 
circular disc divided into a papillose anterior and a smooth pos- 
terior portion, and with only the posterior edge free. Dorsal III 7 ; 
origin equidistant from tip of snout and base of caudal; first or 
second branched ray longest, nearly as long as head. Anal II 5. 
Pectoral extending 2 of distance from its base to pelvics, which 
nearly or quite reach vent. Caudal deeply emarginate. Greyish, 
mottled with darker. 

“‘ Five specimens, the largest 80 mm. in total length.’’ (Tate 
Regan). Mr. Regan has kindly informed me that there are about 
36 scales in the lateral line and that both back and belly are 
covered with scales smaller than those on the sides. 

I have not seen this species, the description of which I quote 
in full. It was described from Waziristan in the hills of the 


! Tate Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) XIII, p. 263, fig. A (1914). 


70 Records of the Indian Museum. (Vou. XVILE 


North West Frontier of India and comes from the same geographi- 
cal district as the species (D. phryne) next to be described. 


Discognathus phryne, sp. nov. 
(PI. satis 3.9 pli ie 2.) 
Di. 3/7." Ae2i5e- T3636. Ie stays 20: 


This species is apparently allied to D. variablis, Heckel, from 
which it differs in proportions and in its naked chest and back. 
Like D. variabilis it has only two barbels. 

The size is small and the habit rather stout. The length of 
the head, the greatest depth of the body and the length of the 
caudal fin are approximately equal and are contained from 4} to 
54 times in the complete total length. The dorsal profile is sinuous 
but nowhere strongly arched, rising in an almost even low curve 
from the tip of the snout to the anterior margin of the dorsal fin. 
The abdomen is convex. The snout is blunt and rounded and 
projects slightly beyond the mouth. Secondary sexual characters 
were not observed on the heads of specimens captured in winter. 
The nostrils are large and situated nearer the eye than the tip of 
the snout. The eye is small, its length being contained 3 to 5 
times in the length of the head; it is lateral in position, its upper 
margin approaching the upper profile, and is situated near the 
middle of the length of the head. The upper lip is comparatively 
narrow and indistinctly fringed. The mouth is large and broadly 
arched. The lower lip is represented by a narrow, linear flap of 
tissue; posterior to this there isa transverse, minutely tuberculate 
band, obliquely truncate at either end and much narrowet than the 
anterior flap; it is about as long as the upper lip. Posterior to 
this again lies the true mental disk, which is smooth and by no 
means highly developed. It is somewhat lozenge-shaped in the 
adult fish and considerably broader than long ; its posterior and lat- 
eral margins are free. In shape and proportions it is somewhat vari- 
able. There is a small, blunt barbel at each angle of the mouth; 
its size is variable and it is sometimes reduced to a mere tubercle. 
There is no trace of anterior barbels. The dorsal fin starts con- 
siderably nearer the base of the caudal than the tip of the snout 
and slightly in front of the ventrals. Its undivided rays are soft 
and slender and the last, which is almost as long as the head, is 
articulated in its distal third. The pectorals are a little shorter 
than the head and do not nearly reach the ventrals when ad- 
pressed; they are set obliquely on the side of the body. The 
caudal peduncle is not clearly marked off. The caudal fin is large, 
distinctly cleft and with the two halves subequal or equal and 
bluntly pointed. 

The scales are rather small. ‘There is a relatively broad mid- 
dorsal streak which is entirely bare and so also are the chest and 
abdomen. The muscles of the chest, however, are not highly 
specialized. The lateral scales are deciduous. In the young those 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE: Fish from India aud Persia. 71 


beneath the lateral line are poorly developed. The lateral line is 
conspicuous. 

The pharyngeal bones are broad and very convex. They each 
bear twelve teeth, but the second tooth of the outer row is very 
short, though broad, and almost hidden by the others. The 
formula appears to be 6.3.3/3.3.6, but the teeth are very closely 
congregated and the rows difficult to distinguish. The teeth are 
fairly long and slender but shorter than those of D. adiscus, 
sharply pointed (except the second of the outer row) and slightly 
retroverted at the tip, which is obliquely truncate. 

The colouration varies with the environment, but the scales, 
the upper part of the cheeks, the operculum and the dorsal surface 
of the head and body are always minutely speckled with black, 
and the specks are always more numerous on the back and on the 
top of the head than elsewhere. In individuals from very clear 
water they are so numerous as to give these regions a blackish 
colour. Larger black spots are sometimes present on the upper 
part of the sides, and a narrow blackish vertical bar can usually be 
distinguished on the distal end of the caudal peduncle. The ven- 
tral surface and the lower part of the head are white. The iris is 
speckled like the scales. The fins are colourless. In the young 
there is a bluish mid-lateral streak running along the body. 

Type-specimen, No 2787 F., Z.S.I. (Ind. Mus ) (from Seistan). 

Distribution.—This species is very abundant in the hill 
country of Baluchistan at altitudes between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. 
A single specimen was taken by Mr. S. W. Kemp and myself, with 
many of D. adiscus, in an irrigation channel at Nasratabad, Seistan. 

Habits.—D. adiscus is gregarious and lives as a rule among 
algae on the bottom of slow-running water-channels and pools. In 
the outflow of the Kushdil Khan reservoir in the Pishin district 
north of Quetta large numbers were observed opposite the places 
where water flowed in from underground sources. The weather 
was very cold at the time and this water was warmer than that 
which came from the reservoir. ‘The fish were feeding on a green 
filamentous alga. 

The species seems, as already stated, to be closely related to 
D. variabilis, Heckel, and is doubtless the one referred to by Zug- 
mayer! as intermediate between that form and D.lamta. It is 
almost certainly identical with the D. variabilis mentioned in the 
editorial note prefixed to Tate Regan’s account of fish from 
Seistan in Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, (n.s.) I, p. 8 (1906). 


SEcTION II.—Grvoup of Discognathus lamta. 
1838. Platycara, McClelland, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal, VII, (2), p- 944- 


This group is certainly more highly developed than that of D. 
variabilis, The mental disk is always relatively large and is a 


1 Zugmayer, Abh. Bayerisch. Ak. Wiss. Math.-phys. Klasse XXVI (6), 
p- 24(1913). These specimens were from the Pishin River in northern Baluchistan. 
There are two Pishins in Baluchistan, the one north of Quetta and one, referred 


72 Records of the Indian Museum. (Mor. 3< VDEr 


highly specialized structure consisting essentially of three parts—an 
anterior transverse band of soft tissue covered with minute tuber- 
cles, a central almost cartilaginous disk with asmooth surface, and 
a posterior and lateral free border of soft tuberculated integument. 
It is therefore a much more efficient organ of adhesion. In all the 
Indian forms with which I am acquainted the disk completely 
separates the antero-ventral margins of the opercula, but Gray 
and Hardwicke in their ‘‘ I/Justrations of Indian Zoology”’ figure these 
borders in D. gotyla as meeting behind the disk (Vol. I, pl. lxxxviii, 
fig. 3) and this also appears to be the case in certain African forms. 
In specimens I assign to D. gotyla the borders nearly meet. In the 
Indian forms the snout, either in the adult male or in both sexes, 
is tuberculate and often produced between or outside the nostrils. 

In the Indian species the number of rays in the dorsal fin and 
of scales in the lateral line as a rule affords little or no assistance 
in specific diagnosis. 

The fish of this group are mostly tropical, but a local race of 
D. lamta is found as far north as Palestine, while either D. jerdoni 
kangrae or a closely allied form inhabits mountain streams in the 
Aden hinterland. In Africa species are found in the Nile valley, 
in the great African lakes and in the eastern waters of Abyssinia. 
In Asia the range of the group extends from Palestine to Yunnan, 
Southern India and Borneo. It seems to have its headquarters in 
the hill country of Southern India and Assam, but the Assamese 
species or races have not been investigated since the time of 
McClelland. In streams at the base of the Nilgiris I found four 
distinct species. 

Discognathus lamta, Day'. 
1919. Discognathus lamta, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XVI p. 114, 
text-fig. 1 and p. 131, pl. i1, figs. 1, 1a. 

Dr. Chaudhuri has recently taken specimens of this species 
near Seringapatam in Mysore. ‘They differ slightly from North 
Indian specimens, but I have not sufficient material to establish 
their racial identity. 


Discognathus persicus (Berg.). 
‘““Garra persica, Berg, sp. n.? 


‘* Discognathus lamta (non Ham. Buch.) Nikolsky, Ann. Mus. 
Zool. St. Petersbourg, IV, 1899, p. 411 (No. 11706,11707). 
Do 7,, pase igies sear 


3314 
11707. River Bampur in Eastern Persia. N. Zarundy 1808, 


15-27. VII (6). 


to by W. T. Blanford in his ‘Zoology and Geology of Eastern Persia,” ir Per- 
sian Baluchistan some little distance inland from the Arabian Sea. 

“ Buchanan's Cyprinus (Garra) lamta was probably, from its habitat, identi- 
cal with McClelland’s Platycara nasuta (1838) rather than with the D. lamta of 
authors. It is, however, impossible to establish this with absolute certainty. 

2 Berg, Ann, Mus. Zool. St. Pétersbourg XVIII, p. Ixi (1913). é 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE: Fish from India and Persia. 73 


11706. Kiabad in Zirkuh (Eastern Khorassan). N. Zarundy 
1898, 3.V (1). 

“ Near Garva lamta (Ham. Buch.), from which differs in having 
7 branched rays in dorsal (in /amta Ham. Buch. 8, as much in 
crenulata Heck., rufa Heck., obtusa Heck.). Lower lobe of caudal 
shorter than head. Total length 75 mm. 

‘““ Barbels 4, very short, uppers $ diameter of eye, lowers 2. 
Pupil in the second half of the head. Ventrals below anterior 4 
of dorsal. Snout projecting strongly beyond mouth. Upper lip 
well developed, not fringed. Width of the mouth less than 4 length 
of head, rather equals the interorbital width. Caudal peduncle 
14-1 times as long as deep. Eye supero-lateral, not visible 
from below. Depth of body 5'0-4'6 in its length (without caudal), 
head 4°5-4°3. Diameter of eye 4°I-4'0 in the length of head, 1°8 
in the interorbital width. Pectorals 5:o-4'8 in the length of body 
(without caudal). Belly covered with scales. 4-5 round black 
spots on the dorsal near its base. A dark vertical bar on the 
caudal peduncle near the base of the caudal. Snout of breeding 
males with numerous conical horny tubercles. 

‘“ Kastern Persia.’’ (Berg). 


Discognathus jerdoni (Day). 
GPx, es. 2 pl. x1, fon a). 
1849. Gonorhynchus Gotyla, Jerdon (nec Gray), Madras Fourn. Lit. 
Sez, XV, p. 309. 
1867. Garra Ferdoni, Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 288. 
1878. Discognathus Ferdoni, Day, Fish. Ind. 11, p. 528, pl. cxxu, fig. 6. 
1889. Discognathus zerdoni, Day, Faun. Brit. Ind. Fish. 1, p. 247. 
This species is remarkable for its stout facies and very short, 
broad head, which differs considerably so far as the shape of the 
snout is concerned in the two sexes. The dorsal profile behind 
the snout is very nearly straight in the male and only slightly 
arched in the region of the dorsal fin in the female.' The snout 
is rounded and much longer, especially in the male, than the 
part of the head behind the eye. The nostril is very much 
nearer the eye than the tip of the snout. ‘The eye is relatively 
large, especially in the male, in which its length is contained 
in the length of the head about 5 times and in the interorbital 
breadth twice. In the female the length of the eye is contained 
at least 54 times in the length of the head and from 23-3 times 
in the interorbital breadth. The branchial openings extend on 
to the ventral surface, but on the sides do not reach much more 
than half way up the head In the female the snout is smooth 
and very slightly concave in lateral profile. In the male it is 
traversed by two semicircular grooves The first of these, which 
is deep and undercut though narrow, lies a short distance in 
front of the nostril, while the second is about equidistant from 
the first and from the tip of the snout. The short projection 


1 Day’s figure (Fish. Ind., pl. cxxii, fig. 6) is taken from a badly preserved 
specimen. 


74 Records of the Indian Museum. (VoL. XVIII, 


caused by the first groove bears several spiny tubercles and there 
is a short row of smaller horny tubercles on each margin of the 
second groove. The upper lip is broad, concealing the upper jaw, 
granular and minutely fringed. There is a narrow semicircular 
transverse granular band in front of the disk, which is transverse 
and more strongly arched anteriorly than posteriorly. Behind 
the disk there is a broader semicircular free border. There are 
four short tentacles. ‘The opercular margins are almost transverse 
on the ventral surface. The chest is flattened but scaly and 
without specialized muscles. The dorsal fin is not so high as the 
body. Its last undivided ray is moderately stout and it has nine 
or ten rays in all. The pectorals are broad and expanded and 
have the outer ray flattened. ‘They are shorter than the head and 
their base is oblique. The scales are large. There are 3 or 3% 
above the lateral line and the same number between it and the 
ventral. The colour varies with the environment. Specimens 
from the Bhavani River at the base of the Nilgiris are very dark 
olivaceous on the sides and back and white on the ventral surface. 
All the fins are greyish but the pectoral fins have white borders. 
The rays of the caudal are white but the middle third of the mem- 
brane is blackish. In a specimen from a small muddy stream run-~ 
ning into the Bhavani the colours are much paler, but there is no 
dark mid-lateral streak and no spot behind the operculum. 

The largest specimen I have seen, an adult male from near 
Mettapolaiyam, is 184 mm. long. 

The species is common in the Bhavani River near the base of 
the Nilgiris both before and after the stream leaves its gorge. It 
lives in places where the stream-bed is rocky and the current 
strong. Jerdon found it in the Manantoddi as well as the Bhavani 
and Day records it also from the Wynaad. I have seen a small 
and probably immature specimen which seems to belong to the 
species from the Nasik district of the Bombay Presidency. 


Subsp. kangrae, Prashad. 


1878. Discognathus lamta, Day, Fish India II, p. 528 (in part), pl. 
EXKIN, gS. 1, Ta: 

1919. Discognathus kangrae, Prashad, Rec. Ind. Mus. XV1, p. 163, figs. 
I, Id. 


This form seems to be no more than a local race of D. jerdont, 
distinguished by its longer head and smaller eye. 

Capt. Donald, Warden of Fisheries in the Punjab, has recent- 
ly presented to the Indian Museum through Dr. Baini Prashad 
a series of specimens from hill-streams in the Kangra valley. 
They establish the fact that the fully developed adult male is 
identical with the form figured by Day in the plate cited. 


Discognathus stenorhynchus (Jerdon). 
(Rl: tx ahi ort p Isao): 


1848. Gonorhynchus stenorhynchus, Jerdon, Madras Fourn. Lit. Sct. 
XVI, p. 310. 


1919. ] N. ANNANDALE: Fish from India and Persia. 75 


This species is closely related to D. jerdoni, but can be dis ~ 
tinguished at once by the structure of the snout and by its relatively 
longer head. ‘The snout, im both sexes and at all ages, is greatly pro- 
duced in front of the nostrils, forming a regular conical forwardly- 
directed process, which however does not extend as far forward as 
the actual tip. As in D. jerdoni, this process is formed by a semi- 
circular groove which passes below it. It bears at its free extrem- 
ity two rows of spiny tubercles. There is a second groove some 
distance in front of the first which transforms the actual tip of the 
snout into a second process, which is directed forwards and slightly 
upwards and bears a number of small spiny tubercles on its posterior 
surface. The dorsal fin is rather less high than in D. jerdoni and 
the two larger unbranched rays are thicker and stouter. A third 
(anterior) unbranched ray may be present or absent. The pec- 
toral fins are relatively short and narrow, rounded at the tip and 
oblique. The chest is not so flat as in D. jerdoni. ‘The scales are 
rather smaller, though of the same number in the lateral line. 
There are 33 between the lateral line and the dorsal fin and 24 or 3 
between the former and the ventral. 

The colour of fresh specimens is as follows :—the sides and 
back pale yellowish above changing to pink below. All the fin- 
rays are somewhat infuscated and there is a row of dark spots 
along the base of the dorsal fin. An obscure dark mid-lateral line 
extends from behind the head on to the caudal fin. ‘The iris is 
golden yellow. The colours have faded considerably in specimens 
in spirit. 

I have examined thirteen specimens, the largest of which is 
go mm. long. The snout is produced in individuals less than two 
inches long. 

Distribution.—vThis fish is only known from the base of the 
Nilgiri Hills. My specimens were taken in a small muddy stream 
(the Nierolay) which runs into the gorge of the Bhavani River 
some I2 miles above Mattapolaiyam in August. 


Discognathus gotyla (Gray and Hardwicke). 
Wires eno ri Olax, 1 410), 
1832. Cyprinus gotyla, Gray & Hardwicke, ///. /nd. Zool. I, pl. Ixxxviii, 


figs. 3, 3a. 
1867. Garra gotyla, Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 288. 

This little species is also closely related to D. jerdoni, but 
the eyes are in the middle of the head, the head is large and the 
structure of the snout is different. The three specimens I have 
examined are perhaps not fully adult, but the secondary sexual 
characters are fairly well developed. The length of the head is 
contained in the total length a little more than five times. The eye 
is very large, its length being contained a little more than four times 
in the length of the head. The dorsal profile of the head is convex 
in the female. In the male there is a short process between the 
nostrils, bearing several relatively large spiny tubercles. ‘The 


76 Records of the Indian Museum. EVOL, <“vadiir 


anterior semicircular groove on the snout is not strongly developed. 
The mental disk is subcircular and of very large size. It is com- 
pletely surrounded by a granular border. The opercular and pre- 
opercular margins are adherent on the ventral surface. The 
former approach one another at an acute angle and almost meet 
behind the disk. The dorsal fin is higher than the depth of the 
body. The pectorals are large and pointed and have the outer ray 
somewhat expanded. ‘They are nearly as long as the head. 

The colour is dark olivaceous with traces of several paler 
longitudinal streaks on the caudal peduncle. There is a dark 
spot behind the operculum and a dark median streak on the caudal 
fin. The ventral surface is pale. 

Day states that the species grows as long as 5? inches. My 
specimens are about 50 mm. long. 

Distribution.—Day states that the species is abundant at the 
base of the hills in the Bhavani River but rarer in the Sigur. I 
took two males and a female in the Nierolay stream at the base of 
the Nilgiris in August, with a number of specimens of D. stenor- 
hynchus and one of D. jerdont. 


Discognathus elegans, sp. nov. 
(Pl ixene. 42 pl. xk figs15): 

This species is distinguished by its elongate form and by the 
structure of the snout, which bears numerous patches of horny 
tubercles but is not produced between or outside the nostrils. 

The dorsal and ventral profiles of the body and the tail are 
nearly parallel and the depth of the body is contained more than 
six times in the total length. The head is short and rather narrrow, 
its length being contained nearly six times in the total length. The 
snout is more than twice as long as the part of the head behind the 
eye. Its dorsal profile is concave, the posterior transverse groove 
found in certain other species between the nostrils being represented 
by a broad depression. There is a narrow anterior transverse groove, 
which extends backwards on the sides of the head nearly as far as 
the anterior margin of the eye. ‘There are about seven groups of 
horny tubercles on the snout, but some of them may coalesce or 
be subdivided. The nostril is very much nearer the eye than the 
tip of the snout. The eye is of moderate size, invisible from below. 
The snout is rounded in ventral view. The upper lip, which is 
fringed and granular, is relatively small, exposing both jaws. 
There are four very small barbels, those at the angle of the mouth 
being almost vestigial. The mental disk is transverse and lens- 
shaped. ‘There is a narrow band of granular tissue in front of it 
and it is surrounded on three sides by a broad granular free border, 
which is slightly emarginate near the angle of the jaw on each side. 
The opercular borders are practically transverse on the ventral 
surface and are widely separated. The chest, and indeed the 
whole ventral surface, is flat but scaly and without specialized 
muscles. ‘The dorsal fin is higher than the depth of the body; its 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE: Fish from India and Persia. Gg 


undivided rays are weak. The pectorals are as long or very near- 
ly as long as the head, pointed and not much expanded. The 
ventrals, the anal and the two lobes of the caudal are also elon- 
gate and pointed. The scales are rather small. There are 4} 
between the lateral line and the dorsal and 34 between the former 
and the ventral. ‘The number in the lateral line is the same as in 
other Indian species of the group. 

The colour is dark olivaceous without definite markings. The 
ventral surface is yellowish-white The fins are infuscated, but the 
paired ones have a pale border. 

This is the largest species of the genus with which I am 
acquainted. The type-specimen is 216 mm. long and the local 
fishermen state that individuals one cubit long are sometimes 
captured. 

Type-specimen, No. 2725 F, Z.S.I. (Ind. Mus.). 

Distribution.—1 have seen this species only from the gorge of 
the Bhavani River at the base of the Nilgiris, where it was taken 
with D. jervdont in August. I have examined six specimens. 

D. elegans is related to D. gravely: from Burma, but the form 
is more elongate, the snout is tuberculate and there are considerable 
differences in the structure of the mental disk. From D. platy- 
cephalus, Rao it is distinguished by its more elongate form and 
more convex head. D. ceylonensis (Bleeker)! seems to be an 
allied species. 


ADDENDUM. 


The True Cyprinus lamta of Buchanan. 


Dr. B. L. Chaudhuri has kindly drawn my attention to a 
quotation from Buchanan’s manuscript notes which casts some 
light, in conjunction with the same author’s original figure of 
‘‘Cyprinus godiyari,’’ on the identity of his Cyprinus lamta. 

This quotation will be found on page 81 of Day’s volume on 
the fisheries and botany of Bengal in Hunter’s Statistical Account 
of Bengal (1876). He says, quoting Buchanan, ‘‘ the Godiydéri 
is another small Cyprinus found in the same places,” 7z.e. in small 
streams among rocks in the Bhagalpur district ; while in a foot- 
note to the name Godtyarzt he adds, apparently on his own authority, 
“Cyprinus lamta, Ham. Buch. Fish. Ganges, p. 343, and MS. 
drawings No. 105, as Cyprinus godiyart.”’ 

Buchanan’s MS. drawing No. 105 is still in the possession of 
the Asiatic Society of Bengal. It comprises three figures, one a 
finished coloured drawing* of the whole fish, the others outlines of 
the dorsal view and of the ventral surface of the head. These 
figures represent a species unknown to me but apparently allied to 


1 Garra (Garra) ceylonensis, Bleeker, Versl. en Meded. Afd. Natuurk. XV, 
p- 239 (1863). 

2 McClelland gives a rather poor reproduction (sufficiently accurate in essen- 
tials) of this drawing in Asiatic Researches XIX, pl. xliii, fig. 2 (18309). 


78 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, t919.] 


D. nasutus. Possibly it is D. macrochiy (McClelland), but the 
figure of the head is unfinished and shows very little detail. The 
figure is labelled ‘‘ Cyprinus godyari’’ in Buchanan’s handwrit- 
ing. ‘The species figured is not the D. lamta of Day’s Fishes of India 
and of subsequent authors. If we are to accept Day’s identifica- 
tion on this occasion, the D. lamta of his later works will have to 
receive some other name; but the only point in favour of this is 
the fact that Buchanan himself was of the opinion that the 
Lamta of the Gorakhpur district was identical with the Godiyari 
of the Bhagalpur district (of. cit., p.103). Considering the 
universal confusion of species that has followed, it is by no means 
improbable that Buchanan himself did not distinguish them 
clearly and that his Cyprinus lamta was, as I have suggested else- 
where, a composite group rather than a single species. It must 
be remembered that Day, who had himself collected different 
forms of Discognathus in the Bhavani River (where at least four 
quite distinct species occur), failed in the end to recognize their 
diversity. The only way in which the point can be settled is by a 
thorough ichthyological survey of the small streams of the Bhagal- 
pur and Gorakhpur districts. 


July atst, 1919. 


vege x rey ipt ales 


i : ; Trey i 


ose) ae iG 


Lalit Ws subieiqgiee 
onl aetna 6 eee 


Bie: 


HIG, 


Pie: 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE ie 


Species of Discognathus from South India. 


Discognathus jerdoni (Day). 


1.—Adult male from the Bhavani River near Mattapolaiyam, 
Coimbatore District. Actual length 184 mm. 


2.—Adult female from the same locality. Slightly smaller 
than male. 
Discognathus stenorhynchus (Jerdon). 
3.—Adult male from small stream running into the Bhavani 
gorge at the base of the Nilgiris. Actual length 90 mm. 
Discognathus elegans, sp. nov. 


4.—Type-specimen (adult male) from the Bhavani gorge 
Actual length 216 mm. 


Plate IX, 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIl,1919. 


A. Chowdhary del. 


DISCOGNATHUS FROM SOUTH INDIA. 


HOT hy Sk eaalg estiid 
Sak Fe) SOF 


EXPLANATION OF PATE. Xe 
Species of Discognathus trom South India and Eastern Persia. 


Discognathus gotyla (Gray and Hardwicke). 
Fic. 1.—Young male from small stream running into the Bhavani 
gorge at the baseofthe Nilgiris. Actual length 50mm. 
Discognathus adiscus, sp. nov. 


Fic. 2.—One of the type-specimens from Seistan (X 14). 


Discognathus phryne, sp. nov. 


Fic. 3.—Type-specimen from Seistan (xX I4)- 


Plare X. 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIJI,1919. 


“i 


? 


~ 


rs 0 


enon 


A. Chowdhary del. 


DISCOGNATHUS FROM INDIA & PERSIA. 


Le at: 
7 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE, XI- 


Mental disk and pectoral fins of Indian and Persian species of 

Discognathus. 

Fic. 1.—D., adiscus, sp. nov. 

2.--D. phryne, sp. nov. 

3.—D. jerdoni (Day). Adult male. 

4.—D. stenorhynchus (Jerdon). Adult male. 

5.—D. elegans, sp. nov. Adult male. 

6.—D. gotyla (Gray & Hardwicke). Young male. 


+) 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII,1919. 


Plate XI. 


A Chowdhary del, 


DISCOGNATHUS FROM SOUTH INDIA & PERSIA. 


NOTES ON’ODONATA COLE Ca Bay any 
SBRISTAN AND  BALUCHISTAN IN 
WINTER. 


By Major F. C. Fraser, 1.M.S. 


LIBELLULINAE. 
Genus Orthetrum. 
O. taeniolatum, Kirby. 


Two males taken at Saindak near the Persian frontier, W. 


Baluchistan, 17-11-18. ae [Dragon-flies I believe to have be. 


longed to this species were also seen near the Hamun-i-Helmand in 
December. JN. A.]. 

One specimen is normal, the other departs from the type by 
having only one row of cells between Rs and Rs in all wings. 
Both specimens are fully adult and pruinosed. 

In the collection are two specimens of Libelluline larvae, 
taken in the Residency garden, Quetta, 10-11-18. These belong to 
the genus Orthetrum and are probably taentolatum. They closely 
resemble larvae of the latter taken in the Deccan, where they 
are common in shallow streams, concealed beneath curtains of 
Spirogyra and other water-weeds. The eyes are prominent and 
strongly angulated outwards; the body is depressed and squat 
and the dorsal carina of each segment, except the roth, ends with 
a sharp, robust spine. The whole body is hairy, this coat serving 
to pick up debris and flocculent detritus during life, which serves 
both for concealment from its foes and as an ambush for its 
prey. 
[The larvae were taken among dense weeds in a pond fed by 
an underground source of water distinctly warmer than the air at 
the time. WN. A.]. 4 


AESCHNINAE. 
Genus Hemianax. 
Three Aeschnid larvae from Hanna Stream, ca. 6,000 ft., near 


: 8 
Quetta, Baluchistan, 10-11-18. 4;. None are fully grown so 


that it is impossible to tell to what the insects belong by a study of 
the tracheation, but I think that there is no doubt that these are 
the larvae of Hemianax ephippiger, Selys, a common insect around 
Quetta. [These larvae are from a small stream with a luxuriant 
growth of Characeae, amongst which they were concealed. JN. A.] 


80 Records of the Indian Museum. [Voy. XVIII, 


AGRIONINAE. 
Genus Ischnura. 


I, elegans, Van der Lind, 

—= rtd ‘ —_ Three females, all differing in their colour 
scheme; this due partly to a teneral condition and partly due to 
the polychroism customary in this species. I have compared these 
with a series from Mesopotamia where the insect is very common 
and find that teneral forms are usually of a bright orange colour, 
especially as to the thorax. The orange pigment is soon absorbed 
and replaced by a greenish-yellow. Progressively with the absorb- 
tion of the yellow pigment, blue is laid down, so that a series of 
forms is met with, passing from orange and yellow, through green 
to blue. Pari-passu with this, black pigment is deposited until it 
largely obscures the ground colour. Thus the eye-spots are often 
absent in the very early stage, being replaced by a broad orange 
fascia which soon changes through yellow and green, to blue, the 
change beginning from the frout and extending backwards. At 
the same time, the black fascia which crosses the vertex, extends 
backwards and gradually laps round the area which is eventually 
to form the eye-spot. Evidence of this may actually be seen in 
the specimens quoted. The humeral fascia, usually found in this 
species, is unenclosed in all three specimens, but two small, black 
spots on the sides indicate the genesis of a posthumeral stripe. 

In one specimen, the second abdominal segment bears a some- 
what quadrate, black spot on the dorsum which is absent in the 
other two. ‘This specimen is a bright orange colour and has the 
eye-spots fully developed. ‘There is no doubt that some speci- 
mens retain the original orange 
colouring throughout imaginal 
life. The other two specimens 
are orange and blue respectively 
but have no eye-spots nor the 
quadrate spot on the second ab- 
dominalsegment. All other mark- 
ings are the same as the first 
specimen. In my Mesopotamian 
specimens, a regular series gradu- 
ating from the one to the other 
may be seen so that there is no 
doubt that the insects are identi- 
cal. 

It is possible to divide up a 
number of Agrionine larvae in 
Fic. 1.—Mask of larva of Ischnura this small collection into two 
elegans * species. (The age of the larvae 

; varies somewhat widely). One 

of these forms closely resembles the larvae of Ischnura senegalensis 
but it is probably the larvae of J. elegans. ‘The mask (fig. 1) is long 


1919. ] F.C. Fraser: Odonata from Seistan, etc. 8I 


and flat; the anterior border projects well forward between the 
palps and is furnished along its free border with minute teeth. 
The opposed borders of the palps are similarly armed and each 
is furnished with a strong movable hook and five long, stout 
setae, directed inward. In addition, each has a robust spine at 
its end and a smaller one between this and the movable hook. 
The caudal lamellae are more or less lanceolate and acuminated 
at the distal end. ‘The tracheal ramification is pigmented and the 
lateral borders of the lamellae spined, the spines being robust on 
a little less than the basal half, and rather minute for rather more 
than the distal half. At the junction of these two different kinds 
of spines can be seen, in some specimens at least, a very faint 
suggestion of a transverse line, the only sign of the nodate charac- 
ter of the lamellae. The ends of the tibiae are richly tufted with 
spinous hairs and spines. 

These larvae were taken along with the two Libelluline larvae 
mentioned above, in the Residency garden, Quetta. One imago 
was taken at Lab-i-Baring, Seistan, ‘‘ lying on the surface of the 
water in channel in reed-beds in the Hamun,” 10-12-18, and the 
other two at Kirtaka, W. Baluchistan, near Afghanistan frontier, 
‘““among coarse grass growing on sand round a small spring.” 
The females of Jschnura commonly lie up among coarse herbage, 
in the neighbourhood of water, whilst the males rarely stray far 
from the neighbourhood of water. 


INDETERMINATE LARVAE. 


The other larvae (from the rice-beds of the Hamun-i-Hel- 
mand near T,ab-1-Baring) com- 
bine some of the features of an 
Agrionine larva with those of a 
Lestine. The middle-lobe (fig. 2) 
is typically Agrionine ; there is 
no suggestion of a middle notch 
as seen in the other family but 
the palps are highly differen- 
tiated and the movable hook is 
of great length. 

There is a stout hook on both 
sides of the movable one and the 
space between the outer hook 
and this is deeply serrated. The 
border of the inner hook is 
lamellated, its edge being fur- 
nished with a row of closely-set, 
teeth-like processes, similar to F1G. 2.—Mask of indeterminate larva 
rows on the border of the middle from the Hamun-i-Helmand. 
lobe and outer border of the 
palp. The palps appear to be more or less cupped by the lamellated 
extension. 


82 Records of the Indian Museum. [Voy. XVIII, r919.] 


The anal appendages are also of unusual character and ob- 
scurely nodate. They are lanceolate in shape and doubled on 
themselves like a half-opened leaf. The outer border and midrib 
are spined for about two-thirds of the proximal en. und the distal 
portion is deeply pigmented in its outer half, in fact almost black 
in some specimens. The specimens are young so that nothing is 
learnt from the tracheation. 


The larvae of dragonflies usually hibernate during the 
winter, and it is surprising to find that so many were taken in 
an active condition during two of the coldest months of the year. 
[The temperature was as a rule well below freezing-point at night 
at the time they were captured. The water of the streams and 
pools at Quetta in which the larvae were found was, however, dis- 
tinctly warmer than the air, while the channels and pools in the 
Haniun-it-Helmand were protected from wind and frost by the 
reeds. IN: A]. 


a 


SPONGES, HYDROZOA AND POLYZOA OF 
SEISTAN. 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Director, Zoological 
Survey of India. 


(Plate XXII). 


Specimens of eight species of the groups discussed in this 
paper were collected in Seistan—three sponges, one Hydrozoon, 
and four Polyzoa. While the sponges and the Hydrozoon are 
widely-distributed species, all of which also occur within the 
limits of the Indian Empire, two of the four Polyzoa are new to 
science, though related to Indian species; one of the other two is 
characteristically Indian and Eastern Asiatic, the other cosmo- 
politan as a species. 

The three sponges are Spongilla alba, Spongilla cartert and 
Ephydatia fluviatilis. The range of the first extends from Egypt 
to Bengal, of the second from Hungary to Mauritius and the Malay 
Archipelago, while the third is cosmopolitan in non-tropical coun- 
tries. The specimens of S. alba are sufficiently distinct to be 
made the types of a new variety; of S. cartert only gemmules, 
which do not differ from those of Indian sponges, were obtained ; 
but the Ephydatia, while differing in certain respects from Euro- 
pean forms, is not definitely enough different for nominal distinc- 
tion. It is, however, quite distinct from the two Indian varieties 
or races, himalayensis from the Western Himalayas (which should 
perhaps be united with syriaca, Topsent) and intha from the Shan 
States of Burma. 

The Hydrozoon is Hydra vulgaris, a cosmopolitan species not 
uncommon in India, 

The four Polyzoa are somewhat remarkable forms. They are 
Fredericella sultana var. jordanica, Plumatella (Afrindella) persica, 
sp. nov., Plumatella (Hyalinella) bigemmis, sp. nov. and Lopho- 
podella cartert. The Fredericella is a race of a cosmopolitan 
species the known range of which includes the Volga and Jordan 
systems; one Plumatella is closely related to a Gangetic species 
(P. testudinicola) associated, unlike its Persian relative, with fresh- 
water tortoises; the other differs from the cosmopolitan P. punc- 
tata in one important structural and physiological character, while 
the Lophopodella is a characteristic Indian species with a local 
race in China and Japan and related to Tropical African forms. 

The representatives in Seistan of the three groups have, 
therefore, mixed geographical relationships, partly Indian, partly 


84 Records of the Indian Museum. [Voy. XVIII, 


southern Palaearctic, partly cosmopolitan. ‘The Indian element 
is strongest, or at any rate most conspicuous, in the Polyzoa. 

It is remarkable to find these groups (or at any rate the spon- 
ges and Polyzoa) so well represented in a country that seems in 
almost every respect unsuitable for them. In the Inlé lake- 
system in the Shan States,! a district apparently in all respects 
favourable to such organisms, only three sponges and two Polyzoa, 
both of which belonged to the same genus, were found ; whereas 
in the Hamun system, in which the water is of extremely variable 
composition and amount, in which extremes of climate occur in 
regular succession, the same number of sponges and twice as many 
Polyzoa (which belonged, moreover, to three genera) were ob- 
tained. It might seem at first sight that it was necessary for gem- 
mules and statoblasts to undergo desiccation, of which there is 
the greatest possible chance in Seistan, just as it is necessary 
for the eggs of many “ Phyllopod’’ Crustacea; but against this 
theory must be placed the richness of the fauna of these groups 
in the comparatively equable conditions of Lower Bengal. We 
are still far from understanding the factors that encourage growth 
and reproduction in the lower aquatic invertebrates, and the only 
possible way to gain light is to keep careful records of the modes of 
occurrence of the living animals and of the provenance of specimens. 
The Hamun is the seventh large Asiatic lake that I have had an 
opportunity of examining in the last seven years (as well as innu- 
merable smaller bodies of water), and in each place I have paid 
particular attention to the sponges and Polyzoa; but I must con- 
fess myself still as far as ever from understanding many of the 
fundamental factors in the biology of these groups. The lakes 
have been of diverse kinds and situated in diverse countries—Lake 
Biwa in Japan, the Tai Hu in China, the Talé Sap in Siam, the 
Inlé Lake in Burma, the Chilka Lake in India, the Hamun in 
Persia and the Take of Tiberias in Palestine. But they are not 
sufficient. 


PORIFERA, 


Of three sponges collected in Seistan in winter, one (Ephy- 
datia fluviatilis) was found in an active state; of one ofthe others 
only dried specimens were found, and of the third only gemmules. 
The Ephydatia is interesting because it occurred in the Hamun-i- 
Helmand in two phases each correlated with a different type of 
environment. 

I take this opportunity to describe’a new variety of Spongilla 
lacustris from Mesopotamia. 


Spongilla alba, Carter. 


1915. Spongilla alba, Annandale, Mem. Ind. Mus. V, pp. 25-32, figs. 1, 2 
pl. play, figs. a2 pl. wv, hie: a. 


' Annandale, Rec, Jnd. Mus, X1V, p. 75 (1918). 


1919. ] N. ANNANDALE: Sponges, Hydrozoa and Polyzoa. 85 


var. rhadinaea, nov. 


The chief diagnostic character of this variety lies in the shape 
of the skeleton-spicules, a large proportion of which are bluntly 
pointed. This I have not seen in any Indian specimen. ‘The 
flesh-spicules, which are scattered singly among the interstices of 
the skeleton, are very thin and vary in length; they taper to the 
extremities and have their spines, which are extremely minute, 
congregated in the central region. The gemmule-spicules have 
all their spines straight. The sponge is compact but friable, 
containing little chitinoid substance. The external membrane 


Léa, NOV., X 250. 


Fic. 1.—Spicules of Spongilla alba var. viiad LH 


has disappeared from my specimens, which coated the stems of 
reeds in a layer not more than 1 cm. thick. They contain abun- 
dant gemmules of a perfectly normal character, but rather small and 


bleached white. ; 
Measurements of spicules, etc. 


Length of skeleton- spicules . 0°402-0°414 mm. 
Greatest diameter of skeleton spicules 0°0123-0°025 mm. 
Length of flesh-spicules .. .. 0°'0826-0°135 mm. 
Length of gemmule-spicules .. 0°082-0°094 mm. 
Diameter of ee Bs 0°425-0°5I mm, 


Type-specimen.—P. %*, Z.S.1. (ind. M us.). 


86 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Locality, etc.—This sponge was found in abundance in the 
dry Naizar or reed-country round the Hamun-i-Helmand in Decem- 
ber, 1918. Gemmules were also observed in drift near Nasratabad 
with those of S. carteri. ‘The sponge grows on the stems and 
roots of reeds in country desiccated for a considerable part of 
each year. No living examples were observed in winter. 


[Spongilla lacustris var. ineptorum, nov.] 


Fragments of sponge from the edge of a creek running into 
the Tigris at Baghdad must be assigned, on account of their 
yellowish colour in a dry condition, to S. lacustris rather than 
S. alba, but they represent a very distinct new variety, for which 
I propose the name ineptorum. When fresh they were evidently 
green. ‘Their skeletal support is fragile and all the elements in the 
skeleton feebly developed. The skeleton-spicules are very thin, 
resembling those of the var. montana, Potts,! a variety which 


ee = EE ER) Se Ee ie 


Fic. 2.—Spicules of Spongilla lacustris var. ineptorum, nov. X 250. 


lives at high altitudes. At the nodes of the skeleton, however, 
there are dense masses of microscleres, most of which are covered 
somewhat sparsely with rather stout spines. The spines at the 
extremities are retroverted. These microscleres are indistinguish- 
able from those of the gemmules. Others also occur, however, 
more sparingly in which the spines are all quite straight and the 
ends more pointed. The two types of flesh-spicules are found to- 
gether. The gemmules are normal, with the pneumatic wall well 
developed and the spicules abundant and arranged in the usual 
manner. 
Measurements of spicules, etc. 


Length of skeleton-spicules .. 0°348-0°373 mm. 
Greatest diameter of skeleton-spicules 0°0082-0'0123 mm. 
Length of flesh and gemmule-spicules 0°082-0°095 mm. 
‘Diameter of gemmules .. 0°394-0°476 mm. 


1 Potts, Proc. Nat. Sci, Philadelphia, 1887, p. 192, pl. 6. 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE: Sfonges, Hydrozoa and Polyzoa. 87 


lype-specimen. P. % Z.S.1. (Ind. Mus.). 

These specimens were collected in December, 1918 by Bomba- 
dier R. Hodgart of the Anglo-Indian Battery (Zoological Collector 
in the Z.S.I.) and presented by him to the Zoological Survey of 

India. 
Spongilla (Eunapius) carteri, Carter. 


1911. Spongillacartert, Annandale, Faun. Brit. Ind., Freshw. Sponges, etc., 
p: 87, fig. 14. 

Gemmules, which do not differ from those of Indian specimens, 
were found among drift at the edge of a pool in the desert near 
Nasratabad, Seistan, in December, 1918. The pool in flood-time 
is connected with an effluent of the Helmand. 

This sponge is by far the commonest species in the plains of 
India. It has also been found in Hungary, Mauritius and several 
of the Malay islands. Its occurrence so far west in Asia as 
Eastern Persia is interesting in view of the fact that it has been 
found in Eastern Europe. Specimens from Lake Balaton in Hun- 
gary differ somewhat in structure from any Indian form, but 
their gemmules are closely similar. 


Ephydatia fluviatilis, auct. 


1911. Ephydatia fluviatilis, Weltner, Trans. Soc. Nat. St. Pétersbourg 
XLII, p.'59, pl. i. 

1916. Ephydatia fluviatilis, Annandale, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal (n.s.) XI, 
Pp. 445. 

Sponges of this species we1e found in the Hamun-i-Helmand in 
two different types of environment, on the lower surface of blocks 
of hard clay at the edge of the lake and on the stems of bulrushes 
in the reed-beds. Specimens from these two habitats differ con- 
siderably, but neither affords any very definite diagnostic character 
whereby it might be distinguished nominally from the forma typica 
of the species. Both phases differ from the Himalayan var. himalay- 
ensis (which is so near the Syrian var. syrvaca that it is hardly 
worth while to distinguish them) in the almost complete absence of 
spines or tubercles, however minute, on the skeleton-spicules. 

Sponges on the stems of bulrushes form a layer 2 to 3, rarely 
5 mm. thick. The outline of each mass is oval, following the iong 
axis of the reed, which it rarely, if ever, completely encircles. Few 
are more than about 70 mm. long. Their colour is dirty white. 
The external surface is smooth and rounded with but moderately 
conspicuous exhalent orifices and radiating superficial channels. 
The consistency is very soft and friable. The skeleton contains 
little binding substance and is not particularly regular in structure. 
There are no bubble-cells. The skeleton-spicules are short and 
slender, sharply but abruptly pointed, often a little irregular in 
outline and sometimes bearing a few widely scattered extremely 
minute tubercles, as a rule gently curved but sometimes bent in the 
middle or elsewhere almost abruptly. In some parts of the sponge 
there are groups of very small and slender spicules. Measurements 
of these are not included in the table given below. The gemmule- 


88 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XVIII, 


spicules are well-developed and normal in appearance. A few are 
scattered in the parenchyma. ‘The shafts are stout and as a rule 
considerably longer than a single rotule, with the spines upon 
them by no means strongly developed. ‘The rotules are deeply but 
irregularly divided, their denticulations having the form of flattened 
spines more or less welded together at the base but without any trace 
of webbing. The gemmules are small and somewhat depressed. 
Their pneumatic layer is thin and they bear a single layer of spicules. 
These specimens are from station 21 of our expedition. I give 
with their measurements those of specimens from station 20, which 
I will describe, for comparison. 


4 \ [ 
i | | : 


B. 


Fic. 3.—Spicules of Ephydatia fluviatilis from the Hamun-i-Helmand, 
x 250. A=spicules of specimens from the lower surface of a block of clay at 


the edge of the lake. B= spicules of a specimen from the stem of a bulrush in 
a reed-bed. 


Measurements of spicules, etc. 


Stas 20: Stasi2r. 
Length of normal skeleton- 
spicules »- 0°246-0°328 mm. 0°2624-3075 mm. 
Maximum breadth of normal 


skeleton-spicules .. 0°006-0°025 __,, 0°0123-0°01435 ,, 
Length of normal 

gemmule-spicule .. 0°020-0'0369__,, 0°0287-0'0369_,, 
Diameter of rotule 0'016-0°0240 _,, 0°0246-0°0328 _,, 


Diameter of gemmule 0°340-0°375__,, 0°345-0°359 ” 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE: Sponges, Hydvozoa and Polyzoa. 89 


The specimens from sta. 20 are from the lower surface of blocks 
of hard clay which had fallen into the lake from cliffs of that sub- 
stance. Their skeleton-spicules exhibit less variation and are as a 
tule shorter and relatively stouter than those from the stems of 
bulrushes. Their normal gemmule-spicules are also usually stouter 
and shorter with relatively larger rotules, but very long spicules of 
the same type occur occasionally. The whole sponge is so full of 
particles of clay that it is almost impossible to study the structure 
of the skeleton in detail, but it is certainly (doubtless for this 


Fie. 4.—Gemmules and gemmule-spicules of Ephydatia fluviatilis from the 
Hamun-i-Helmand. A = outer rotules of a specimen from a block of clay at the 
edge of the lake: highly magnified. B—=agemmule of a specimen from the stem 
of a bulrush as seen from above: X 20. 


reason) very lax and amorphous and the groups of small spicules 
characteristic of the other phase seem to be absent, though small 
amphioxi occur scattered in the parenchyma. ‘The colour is that 
of the clay. The gemmules are normal except that in some single 
birotulate spicules are, as it were, plastered on outside the normal 
single row in a vertical or slanting position. ‘They are held in 
position by an extension of the outer horny coat, which covers 
them completely. 

It is probable that there was a difference in the chemical com- 
position of the water from which these two sets of sponges came 


go Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor Lie 


(see p. 97 antea), and they were growing in very different types of 
environment, though in the same lake at a distance of less than 
five miles apart. The sponges from sta. 2I were living in most 
unfavourable conditions on the lower surface of blocks of clay part- 
ly embedded in soft mud, which permeated their whole substance, 
and in a situation liable to desiccation with a change of wind, and 
also to the effects of nightly frost. Those from sta. 20 on the other 
hand were living in much deeper water, protected from frost and 
wind and not in any danger of being choked by mud (v. p. 91). The 
sponges from the blocks of clay were in a somewhat similar situa- 
tion to those of the var. syriaca I collected in the Lake of Tiberias,! 
except that the latter were attached to solid stone. In the other 
instance the method of growth is similar to that of Spongilla fragilis 
in Japan.* 

The specimens from the edge of the Persian lake are so en- 
veloped in and permeated by mud that their whole structure is dis- 
torted, whereas those of the Lake of Tiberias were normal in struc- 
ture but small. Moreover, there is no trace of green corpuscles in 
the Persian specimens, though minute extracellular algae of various 
kinds are found in their parenchyma. 

The specimens from both types of environment in the Hamun- 
i-Helmand were in an active vegetative condition in December, 
~but both contained numerous gemmules. I can find no trace of 
embryos. 

No specimens of EF. fluviatilis from the Hamun bear any particu- 
lar resemblance to those of the same species described from lakes in 
Central Asia by Weltner (0p. cit.), except that the skeleton-spicules 
of those growing on reeds have a somewhat similar outline to 
those from Issyk Kul figured by him in figs. 8-14 on p. 65 of the 
work cited. In the occurrence in the sponges from the margin of 
the lake of occasional abnormally large birotulate spicules they 
resemble the Australian E. multiformis,? but that species (? or 
variety of EF. miillert) possesses bubble-cells in its parenchyma. I 
have examined a cotype or schizotype sent me before the war by 
Dr. Weltner and have found in it a spicule of this type, but neither 
in Persian nor in Australian specimens have I discovered such 
spicules 7m situ on the gemmule. I see no reason to regard them 
as adventitious but believe that they are produced free in the paren- 
chyma, perhaps as a result of abnormal environment. 


HYDROZOA. 


Hydra vulgaris, Pallas. 


1911. Hydra vulgaris, Annandale, Faun. Brit. Ind., Freshw. Sponges, etc., 
p. 148, fig. 29, p. 131, fig. 27A. 


! Annandale, Fourn, As. Soc. Bengal (n.s.) 1X, p. 59 (1913) and XI. p. 455 
(1916). 

2 Annandale and Kawamura, YFourn. Coll. Sci. Univ. Tokyo XXXIX, p. 13 
(1916). 
8 Weltner in Michaelsen and Hartmeyer’s Faun. Siidw. Australiens III, 
p- 138 (1910). 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE: Sponges, Hydrozoa and Polyzoa. gt 


A single small specimen of a pale brownish colour and without 
buds or reproductive organs was taken amongst green filamentous 
alga in an irrigation-channel at Nasratabad, Seistan, in December. 


POLYZOA. 


The four species of Polyzoa collected in Seistan all belong to 
the Phylactolaemata and all but one are sessile, branching species. 
Otherwise they have little in common. ‘The two Plumatellinae are 
remarkable for the differentiation exhibited between the zooecia 
that produce free and those that produce fixed statoblasts. All 
the species were found in full activity in December, except the 
Afrindella, which was taken in foul water and was in a degenerate 
condition, densely packed with statoblasts of both kinds. Lopho- 
podella cartert, which elsewhere has been found associated with 
algae,! was only observed in an active state in Seistan attached to 
tubes inhabited by a small Oligochaete worm, but perhaps stolen 
by the worm from a Dipterous larva. 


Fredericella sultana subsp. jordanica, Annand. 


1913. Fredericella sultana jordanica, Annandale, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal 
(is: pp. 223, pl. vil, figs. 51a, £0, te 

1915. Fredericella sultana subsp. jordanica, td., Trav. Sta. Biol. Volga 
(Saratow) V, p. 74. 

Specimens that may be assigned to this race were abundant 
in December both on the stems of bulrushes in the reed-beds of the 
Hamun-i-Helmand near Lab-i-Baring and on the lower surface of 
blocks of clay at the edge of the lake near the same place. It was 
also found on empty Unionid shells in the open lake: Though 
many of the colonies were degenerate they contained few stato- 
blasts and the peculiar thickening of the ectocyst noted in associa- 
tion with the formation of gemmules in the Lake of Tiberias was 
not observed. ‘The zooecia were narrow and still more strongly 
keeled and emarginate than in specimens from Palestine or the 
Volga. 

F, sultana is apparently cosmopolitan as a species. ‘The Pales- 
tinian race has hitherto been found only in and near the Lake of 
Tiberias and in the lower Volga system in eastern European Russia. 
In the plains of India it is replaced by the race ¢ndica, while 
the typical form occurs in the lakes of Kumaon in the Western 
Himalayas. 

Fam. PLUMATELIIDAE. 


Genus Plumatella, Lamarck. 
Subgenus Afrindella, Annandale. 
1912. Afrindella, Annandale, Rec. /nd. Mus. VII, p. 140. 


This subgenus has hitherto been found only in tropical Africa, 
India, Siam? and the Philippines. Its occurrence in Seistan is, 


L West and Annandale, Fowrn. As. Soc. Bengal (n.s.) VII, p. 83 (1911). 
® Plumatella (Afrindella) tanganyikae occurs in the inner lake of the Talé 
Sap in the Siamese province of Singgora or Sunkla. 


92 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo XVIII, 


therefore, evidence for the existence of a tropical element in the 
aquatic invertebrate fauna of that country. 


Key to the species of the subgenus Afrindella. 


A. Zoaria forming a single layer. 
1. Ectocyst smooth ; zooecia regular in growth, 
with a strong continuous keel ; statoblasts 
(free) elongate .. Plumatella philippinensis. 
2. Ectocyst obscurely annulate, densely covered 
with minute sand-grains ; zooecia with- 
out keel; statoblasts (fixed) broad, vari- 
able in shape... “a ... P. testudinicola. 
3. Ectocyst rough, irregularly annulate on the 
distal region; proximal region of zooe- 
cium strongly keeled; statoblasts (free 
and fixed) moderately elongate ... P. tanganytkae. 
B. Zoarium in two layers, in the lower of which 
fixed, in the upper free statoblasts are 
produced. 
Ectocyst more or less irregular; zooecia 
without keel ; statoblasts (free and fixed) 
elongate ae Ay nee 70. PEVSUGH. 


Piumatella (Afrindella) persica, sp. nov. 


This species closely resembles the Gangetic Plumatella testu- 
dinicola' in structure, but is differentiated (apart from the method 
of growth) by the possession of free as well as fixed statoblasts and 
by the more elongate form of the latter. 

The specimens examined consist of rather dense growths on the 
woody roots and stems of water-plants which were in a condition 
of rest in winter. Each growth is separated quite definitely into 
two layers. Most of the zooecia of the outer layer are degenerate 
but some still contain polypides, while all except the youngest are 
packed with free gemmules. Those of the lower layer are filled 
with fixed statoblasts arranged in single longitudinal rows. The 
zoarium is everywhere too congested to reveal its precise method 
of growth, but even round the margins of the colony, where the 
youngest zooecia occur, the two layers are distinct and the lower 
zooecia contain fixed statoblasts. In this part of the zoarium 
the zooecia are arranged roughly in parallel lines and it is clear 
that the system of budding was that of a terminal and a latero- 
terminal bud being given off almost simultaneously by each termi- 
nal zooecium, and that owing to the congested state of the colony 
the latero-terminal buds have been closly adpressed to the terminal 
ones. ‘The zooecia lie practically flat, all orientated in one direc- 
tion and each with its orifice opening almost horizontally. The 
base of the buds being somewhat flattened and issuing from the 
lower part of the parent zooecium permits the latter to open in 
this way. When the polypides expand they doubtless bend up- 
wards, which the softness and laxness of the distal part of the 
zooecia would readily permit them to do. The zooecia are nearly 
cylindrical but flattened on the attached surface. They are about 


1 Annandale, Rec. Jnd. Mus. VII, p. 148, pl. xin (1912). 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE: Sponges, Hydrozoa and Polyzoa. 93 


0°77 mm. in diameter and not longer than 255 mm. In the 
denser parts of the colony they are often bent or twisted in their 
long axis. The proximal region of each zooecium is brownish, 
smooth or irregularly annulated and translucent, the softer distal 
region colourless, transversely wrinkled when the polypide is retrac- 
ted and transparent in fresh specimens. In degenerate colonies 
this region disappears with the polypides, but in living areas it is 
of relatively large extent. 

The polypides are nearly colourless throughout. I have not 
been able to detect any distinctive feature in their anatomy. 

The statoblasts are of the elongate type. Those of the free 
kind are from 14 times to over twice as long as broad. ‘They have 
the sides nearly parallel and the ends broadly rounded. The ring 
of air cells is narrow and not much broader at the ends than at the 
sides. It encroaches little on either surface. ‘These statoblasts 
are somewhat curved in their long axis. The fixed statoblasts 
resemble the free ones in shape, but are larger and usually broader 
and more variable in outline. They are very flat but slightly con- 
vex on the dorsal surface, black, smooth and polished. Each is 
surrounded by a delicate peripheral crenulate carina separated 
from the body of the statoblast by a deep but narrow groove. 
Both kinds of statoblast are large compared with the calibre of 
the zooecium. 


Measurements of statoblasts (tn millimetres). 


Free. Fixed. 
Length oP, .. 0°289-0°374 0°34-0°544 
Breadth xe te Orl7-0: 204 0°255-0°272 


Type-specimen. P. 2 Z.S.1. (Ind. Mus.). 


Locality, etc.—Our specimens were found at the bottom of a 
pool of very foul water in the nearly dry bed of the Randa stream 
near Jellalabad, Seistan. They coated the peculiar nodular roots 


and the stems of some plant which grew in the mud but had died 
down completely in winter. 


Subgenus Hyalinella, Jullien. 


1885. Hyalinella, Jullien, Bull. Soc. zool. France V, p. 133. 

1910. Hyalinella, Loppens, Ann. Brol. Lacustre, 1V, p. 147. 

1git. Australella, Annandale, Faun. Brit. Ind., Freshw. Sponges, etc., 

4 PA 6 

19tt. Plumatella (in part), td., ibid., p.212. 

1914. Australella, Kraepelin in Michaelsen’s, Lauwd-u. Siisswass. Fauna 
Deutsch-Sudwestafrikas, X1, p. 61. 

1916. Australella, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XI, p. 163. 


The one diagnostic feature of this subgenus is that the 
true ectocyst is transformed into a gelatinous layer, which may be 
so thick as to produce a synoecium analogous to that of the Lopho- 
podinae. The growth, however, is always dendritic, and the tent- 
acles never of great length. Until now no fixed statoblasts have 


94 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XVIII, 


been observed, but they are highly developed and specialized in 
the species to be described here. Some species of the genus 
bear a close external resemblance to those of the group of Pluma- 
tellae that has been named Alcyonella, but in Alcyonella a horny 
ectocyst is present as well as the gummy substance by means of 
which the zooecia are agglutinated together. In preserved speci- 
mens of Hyalinella the ectocyst is apt to shrink and lose its gela- 
tinous character, butin the natural condition its structure and 
appearance are most characteristic. It is usually much harder 
than the zooecium of the Lophopodinae. Six species may now be 
assigned to the subgenus:—Plumatella punctata, Hancock, the 
type-species; P. bigemmis, sp. nov.; P. indica, and P. longigemmis 
(Annandale); P. jheringi (Meissner), and P. lendenfeldi (Ridley). 
The first of these is widely distributed in Europe and North America 
and occurs also in tropical Africa and in India; the second is here 
described from E. Persia; P. indica and P. longigemmas are Indian ; 
P, jheringi comes from Brazil, and P. lendenfeldz from Australia. 
These species may be distinguished by the following key :— 
I. Ectocyst not greatly swollen, fairly soft, not concealing 
the identity of the zooecia. 


A. Statoblasts of one type only, all free. 
1. Statoblasts not much longer than broad, very 


variable — 3 ... P. punctata. 
2. Statoblasts nearly 1} times as long as broad, 
not particularly variable... .. P. longigemmis. 
B. Fixed statoblasts present as well as free .. BP. bigemmis. 


II. Ectocyst stiff, not greatly swollen but compacting the 
zooecia together into a solid mass. 
Statoblasts oval, rounded at the ends we De dndica. 
III. Ectocyst very copious, soft; the distinction between zooe- 
cia entirely obliterated. 
A. Statoblasts oval, subtruncate at the ends ... H. lendenfeldt. 
B. Statoblasts subcircular or polygonal ... HA. pheringt. 


As is shown in this key the distinction between my Australella 
and Jullien’s Hyalinella is merely a matter of degree. Some speci- 
mens of the species now to be described might be assigned with 
equal propriety to either. Nor does the one differential character, 
considered in this light, seem sufficient for generic separation from 
Plumatella. 


Plumatella (Hyalinella) bigemmis, sp. nov. 


The zoaria grow prone on the stems of plants and have 
much the appearance of those of H. punctata, except that the 
ectocyst is still more transparent and swollen and quite smooth 
on the external surface. Young zoaria have an almost linear 
growth, slightly zig-zag owing to the subterminal buds being 
produced on opposite sides of alternate zooecia. Though these buds 
are lateral in origin they are directed almost straight ahead, so 
that the deviation from a straight line is not great. As the colony 
develops, the zooecia are pressed together into a compact layer. 
This is brought about by the production of lateral branches which 
form an acute angle with the main axis of the colony. A radiating 


IQI9Q. | N. ANNANDALE: Sponges, Hydrozoa and Polyzoa. 95 


zoarium may also be produced and in the mature colony the 
orientation of the zooecia is often radial, mainly in four directions. 
In any case a large number of the zooecia always point in the 
same direction. The colony as a whole is quite flat, the gelatin- 
ous ectocyst filling in the interstices between the zooecia. 

The individual zooecia maintain their identity distinct, but 
their ectocvst is so thick that their openings have in more conges- 
ted parts of the colony a honeycomb-like appearance. The ectocyst 
is, as already stated, usually quite hyaline and colourless, but it is 
sometimes darkened towards the distal extremity of the zooecia 
It is hard and almost cartilaginous for the greater part of its 
length, but the harder region ends abruptly near the aperture, 
which is surrounded by a thin, soft, mainly retractile membrane. 
The margin of the former region is well-defined, of an oval form 
and somewhat oblique in its long axis, which is mainly vertical in 
direction. Sometimes the external surface is covered with minute 
algae. The zooecia: are long, but somewhat variable in length, 
sometimes bent or curved in their long axis. They are distinctly 
flattened. Their transverse diameter (internal) is about 0°5 mm. 
and even when quite young they are of almost equal calibre 
throughout their length. Their long axis is parallel to the surface 
to which they are attached. 

This description applies to the normal zooecia which consti- 
tute the greater part of the colony, but in old zoaria zooecia of 
another type are produced at or near the terminal points of the 
branches. These are variable in shape and sometimes shorter, 
occasionally longer, than the normal zooecia. Zooecia of this type 
(which are only produced when the vegetative period of growth 
nears its end) never contain a fully developed polypide but only 
one or more statoblasts partly embedded in a strand of undifferen- 
tiated tissue, which broadens out towards the distal extremity of 
the zooecium. 

The polypide is much like that of H. punctata and offers no 
particular diagnostic characters. The tentacles are moderately 
short and not very numerous and the whole body is almost 
colourless. 

The free statoblasts are very like those of H. punctata, but 
not so variable in shape, a little more rhomboidal, and with a 
broader ring of air-cells at the extremities. The fixed statoblasts 
are large, broadly oval, of a dark brown colour and densely 
punctured on the surface. Each is, however, surrounded by an 
amorphous mass of dark horny material that obscures its true shape 
and ornamentation. ‘The statoblasts are not very numerous. 


Measurements of statoblasts (in millimetres). 


Free. Fixed. 
Length .. ae). 0°357-0° 374 0°459-0°561 
Breadth 2. 0°255-0°272 0°425-0°459 


Type-specimen. P. %, Z.S.1. (Ind. Mus.). 


96 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Locality.—Our specimens were found on the stems of bul- 
rushes in the reed-beds of the Hamun-i-Helmand near Lab-i-Baring 
in December, 1918, with Fredericella sultana and Ephydatia flu- 
viatilis. 


Genus Lophopodella, Rousselet. 
1904. Lophopodella, Rousselet, Fourn. Quek. Micr. Club (2) IX, p. 45. 


1911. Lophopodella, Annandale, Faun. Brit. Ind., Freshw. Sponges, etc., 
1914. Tubbs poeta. Kraepelin in Michaelsen’s Land-u. Susswassevfauna 
Deutsch-Sudwestafrikas 1, p. 64. 

Kraepelin gives in the work cited a useful key to the species 
and figures the statoblasts. He points out that the African species 
hitherto confused with L. carteri is distinct, and describes it under 
the name L. stuhlmanni. He also describes a new variety of 
L. capensis (Sollas) under the name var. michaelsent. The forms 
that must now be referred to the genus are L. cartert (Hyatt), 
L carteri subsp. davenporti (Oka), L. thomasi, Rousselet, L. cap- 
ensis (Sollas), L. capensis var. michaelsent, Kraepelin and L. stuhl- 
manni, Kraepelin. ‘The range of the genus extends from Eastern 
Persia to Japan, Brazil and South Africa, but is mainly tropical. 
The following key, though not actually based on Kraepelin’s, owes 
much to it. 


Key to the species of Lophopodella. 


1. Each extremity of the statoblast produced into a long 
slender process bearing books along each margin ... L. capensis. 
2. Extremities of statoblast truncate or subtruncate, with a 
single row of hooked processes. 
A. Extremities of statoblast broadly truncate, little 
narrower than the greatest transverse diameter .., L. stuhlmannt. 
B. Extremities of the statoblast broadly rounded, much 
narrower than the greatest transverse diameter ,,, L. cartert. 
C. Extremities of the statoblast very narrow, concave L. thomast. 


All of these species except L. carteri are African. 


Lophopodella carteri (Hyatt). 


1911. Lophopodella cartert, Annandale, Faun. Brit. Ind. Freshw. Sponges, 
etc., p. 233, fig. 46, pl. iii, figs. 4, 4a. 
1912. Lophopodella cartert, id., Rec. Ind. Mus. VII, p. 143. 

Specimens from an irrigation channel in the Consulate garden 
at Nasratabad, Seistan agree well with Indian specimens. Stato- 
blasts were also taken, with gemmules of Spongilla carteri and 
S. alba, amongst drift at the edge of a pool in the desert in the 
same district. The statoblasts did not differ in any respect from 
those of Indian colonies. 

Statoblasts were found in active colonies in all stages of 
development in December. The animal was living among green fila- 
mentous algae. The most interesting feature of these colonies was, 
however, that each was attached to a fine mucilaginous tube and 
that each tube was inhabited by a small Oligochaete worm 


1919. | N. ANNANDALE: Sponges, Hydrozoa and Polyzoa. 97 


identified by Tt.-Col. J. Stephenson, I.M.S., as Nats communis var. 
punjabensis. ‘This worm does not ordinarily construct tubes, and 
was found free in the reed—beds of the Hamun, but Col. Stephenson 
has seen it in tubes made by insect larvae (probably those of 
Diptera) in the Punjab. It is possible that in Seistan also it 
occupied the dwellings of larvae which it had dispossessed or 
succeeded after their departure, but as to the association between 
it and Lophopodella there can be no doubt, for it was noted repeat- 
edly on more than one occasion. L. carteri has been observed in 
association with certain algae,' and it is not uncommon for Chirono- 
mid larvae to construct their tubes at the base of its colonies ; but 
I have not hitherto found it associated with Oligochaete worms. 
The known geographical range of L. carteri now extends from 
Eastern Persia to Japan. The Japanese and Chinese race (daven- 
porti, Oka *) is distinguished from the forma typica by the greater 
development of the terminal processes of the gemmule, but nothing 
is known of the species in the countries intermediate between India 
and China.’ <A form (var himalayana, mihi) with the process of the 
gemmules absent or imperfectly developed occurs occasionally in 
the Kumaon Lakes in the Western Himalayas, but normal colonies 
have been found at the same places at other times. In the plains 
of India the distribution is apparently sporadic, but the species is 
common in parts of the Bombay Presidency and the Central Prov- 
inces. I have never found it in the Punjab, Bengal or Madras. 


! See Annandale and West, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal (n. s.) VII, p. 81, pl. iii 
(1911). 

2 Pectinatella davenportt, Oka, Zool. Anz. XXXI, pp.7, 6 and Annot. Zool. 
Fapan. VI, p. 117 (1907). 


3 The Rev. Gist Gee has recently sent me specimens of the Japanese race from 
Soochow in the Kiangsu province of China, 


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EXPLANATION OF EPRALE X1r 


POLYZOA OF SEISTAN. ° 


Plumatella (Hyalinella) bigemmis, sp. nov. 


Len! 


.—A part of the peripheral region of a mature but growing 
colony on the stem of a bulrush, showing the resting 
statoblasts, X 5%. 

.—A part of the peripheral region of a more compact and 
vigorous colony, X 5%. 


The white substance in the interstices between the zooecia is composed of 
microscopic algae. 


N 


.—Three zooecia containing statoblasts, X 40. 


On the right a zooecium in which the polypide has completely degen- 
erated and a single free statoblast has been produced, is shown 
growing over aterminal zooecium in which a single fixed statoblast 
has been formed. The degenerated polypide of the latter is also 
shown. Its roof has largely disappeared. On the left a zooecium 
with a single statoblast is figured. 


Oo 


Plumatella (Afrindella) persica, sp. nov. 


. 4.—Fixed statoblasts, X 40. 


5.—A part ofa still vigorous colony growing ona rootlet, X 5%. 


6.—A part of a colony in which most of the zooecia of the 
upper layer have degenerated and disappeared, leaving 
those of the lower layer exposed. The roof of the 
latter has also degenerated, exposing the fixed stato- 
blasts, X 5%. 

7.—Free statoblasts, X 40. 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. Plate XIl. 


7x40 


A. C. Chowdhary del. 
. POLY ZOA OF SEISTAN. 


CA RAB LT DAE 3F ROM “SB VS i AN. 
By H. FE. ANDREWES. 


[The Carabid beetles on which Mr. Andrewes has been kind enough to report 
were collected, mostly by Mr. S. W. Kemp, in the depth of winter. With the 
exception of Metabletus fuscomaculatus and Microlestes corticalts, which 
come from the desert, they were found at the edge of water-channels, streams 
or pools, or at that of Hamun-i-Helmand or lake of Seistan. On the shore 
of this lake there is in winter a drift-line, marking flood-level and consisting 
mainly of fragments of reeds. Under these fragments a fairly large fauna 
(consisting mainly of beetles and Heteroptera, but also including earwigs, a 
toad, etc.) finds shelter, and here we took no less than seven of the sixteen 
Carabidae found in Seistan.—N. Annandale. | 


The species of Carabidae taken in Seistan number sixteen only. 
These show little relationship to the Indian fauna, though there 
are two species of which I have records from Karachi and the 
United Provinces respectively. A third species has not yet been 
recorded as coming from India, but I have examples of it in my 
collection from the Himalayas as mentioned below. Seistan—— 
judging by the Carabidae—seems to be near the boundary (in so 
far as it exists) separating the fauna of Central Asia from that of 
the long sandy tract which stretches from Morocco to Sind. Ihave 
been able to determine most of the species, but have had to leave 
one or two unidentified. 


Distichus planus, Bon. 


I Ex. No. 8782. lLab-i-Baring, a 7-xii-18, under drift 
at edge of Hamun. 
Common in S.E. Europe, S.W. Asia, Egypt, etc. 


Dyschirius sp. 
3 Ex. No. 8795. Edgeofstream of saline water near Lab-i- 


Baring, Seistan, I1-xii-18. 
I have not been able at present to identify this species. 


Pogonus micans, Chaud. 


It Ex. No. 8791-3. Wab-i-Baring, Seistan, 7-x1i-18, under 
drift at edge of Hamun. 
N. Persia: Astrabad. Kopet-Dagh: Germab. 


Bembidium sp. 


I Ex. No.8779. Nasratabad, Seistan, ca. 2,000 ft., 26-xi-18. 
I cannot identify this species, but a large number have been 
described from Central Asia, and this may be among them. 


100 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Bembidium niloticum, Dej. 


1 Ex. No. 8799. Water-channels near Nasratabad, Seistan, 
x1-18. 

Described by Dejean from Egypt, whence it extends east- 
wards as far as Japan, and south to the Malay Peninsula; I have 
seen Indian specimens from the Himalayas, but not further south. 


Bembidium varium, Oliv. 


Ir Ex. Nos. 8798-9, 8802. Near Jellalabad, Seistan, 2-xii-18. 
Channel 8 miles E. of Lab-i-Baring, Seistan, 16-xii-18. 

Extends apparently over the whole of Europe, and the greater 
part of temperate Asia. 


Bembidium latiplaga, Chaud. 


5 Ex. Nos. 8794, 8797, and 8800. Channel 8 miles E. of Lab- 
i-Baring, Seistan, I6-xil-18. Water channels near Nasratabad, 
Seistan, x18. Edge of stream of saline water near Lab-i-Baring, 
Seistan, L1-xti-18. 

Mediterranean basin and S. Russia. I am not aware that the 
species has been recorded yet from a locality so far east as 
Seistan. 


Siagona europaea, Dej. 


1 Ex. No. 8789. lab-i-Baring, Seistan, 7-xii-18, under drift 
at edge of Hamun. 

This is the furthest point east from which I have seen an 
example of this species, which is commonly found in the Mediter- 
ranean basin. I have quite recently (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., (9) 
iii, I919, p. 470) given my reasons for considering it distinct from 
the Indian S. depressa, F. 


Chlaenius semicyaneus, Solsky ? 


1 Ex. No. 8777. Hurmuk, Perso-Baluch-Afghan frontier, 
Ca. 3,000 ft., 22-xi-18. 

A single @ example agreeing fairly well with Solsky’s 
description, but I have no specimen available for comparison. 


Chlaenius spoliatus, Rossi. 


3 Ex. Nos. 8780, 8783-4. lWab-i-Baring, Seistan, 7-xii-18, 
under drift at edge of Hamun. 

This species has a very wide range, from S. Europe and N. 
Africa to Japan; it does not extend to Southern Asia. 


Diplocheila transcaspica, Sem. 


2 Ex Nos. 8781 and 8785. lLab-i-Baring, Seistan, 7-x1i-18, 
under drift at edge of Hamun. 


1919. | H. E. ANDREWES: Carabidae. IOI 


Hitherto known only from the transcaspian provinces of 
Russia. 


Pterostichus sp. 


3 Ex. 922. Nos. 8786-8. Lab-i-Baring, Seistan, 7-xii-18, 
under drift at edge of Hamun. 

Possibly one of the numerous species described from Central 
Asia. 


Brachinus sp. 


I Ex. No. 8790. Lab-i-Baring, Seistan, 7-xii-18, under drift 
at edge of Hamun. 

Unknown to me. Chaudoir’s Monograph of this genus un- 
fortunately does not embrace the palaearctic species. 


Glycia ornata, Klug. 


I Ex. No.8778. Nasratabad, Seistan, ca. 2,000 ft., 26-xi-18. 
Ranges from the Mediterranean basin through the desert 
regions of Egypt and Arabia as far as Sind. 


Metabletus fuscomaculatus, Motch. 


I Ex. No. 8796. Wab-i-Baring, Seistan, 15-xii-18, at base of 
desert plants. 

South Russia, Mongolia, Caucasus, Syria; I have specimens 
in my collection from Chamba, Himalayas, but the species has not 
previously been recorded from the Indian region. 


Microlestes corticalis, Dufour. 


2 Ex. oo No. 1401. Lab-i-Baring, Seistan, 15-xii-18, at 
base of desert plants. 
Extends from the Mediterranean basin to Central Asia. 


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REPORT .ON, DEE PER See We Acie 
GASTROPOD MOLLUSCS OF LOWER 
MES OP OT AMTA: 


PART I. ‘THE GENUS LIMNAEA. 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Director, Zoological 
Survey of India, and BAtnt PrasHap, D.Sc., Offg. Director of 
Fisheries, Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. 


(With Plates XIII, XIV.) 


In the report of which the first part is now published we pro- 
pose to discuss the freshwater Gastropod molluscs of the delta of 
the Tigris and Euphrates and of the lower reaches of the two rivers. 
Stress of other work and official duties have already greatly delayed 
its preparation, and as the medical authorities are anxious for any 
information about the freshwater molluscs as soon as possible, we 
have decided to issue it in parts dealing with separate genera or 
larger groups. It will be convenient to include this report in the 
same volume as that on the molluscs of Seistan, as the two faunas 
are reiated. 

The material from Mesopotamia that we now have in our 
hands consists of three collections, ail presented by the generosity 
of their collectors to the Zoological Survey of India. Two of these 
have already been discussed! They were made by Lt. Col. W. H. 
Lane and Bombadier R. Hodgart and consist of empty shells, most 
of which were probably subfossil. The third collection, made by 
Capt. C. L. Boulenger, adds greatly to our knowledge as it includes 
specimens preserved in spirit. It has been possible with its aid to 
correct and expand the results based on shells previously examined. 

We have, so far as possible, consulted the literature on the 
Persian, Central and Western Asiatic molluscs, as well as that on 
those of India and Europe, but it is possible that some Russian 
works, or memoirs published in Europe during the war, may have 
escaped our notice. The only paper dealing specifically with 
Lower Mesopotamia that we have found is Mousson’s, ‘‘ Coquilles 
ters. et fluv. rec. Dr. A. Schlefli en Orient” in the Journ. de 
Conchyl. XXII (1874). The descriptions in this paper are fairly 
full and it has not been difficult with specimens before us to dis- 
criminate the species. The paper, however, is not illustrated, and 
without figures or specimens verbal descriptions of freshwater 
molluscs have little value. We are strongly of the opinion that 


t Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XV, pp. 159-170, pl. xx (1918). 


104 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


among the Pulmonata at any rate no description unaccompanied 
by a recognizable figure should be considered valid. 


Genus Limnaea, Lamarck. 


The species that occur in Lower Mesopotamia are of con- 
siderable interest. They fall into two of the main groups of the 
genus, namely those that may be called, in quite a general sense, 
those of L. auricularia and L. truncatula. Most of them we assign 
to the former group. These species are all variable and at first 
sight it might seem that most of those of southern Persia and the 
lower valley of the Tigris and Euphrates were conspecific, merely 
separable into numerous races and varieties. A careful study ofa 
large amount of material has, however, convinced us that this is 
not the case, and that a number of species actually exist which 
can be separated by anatomical as well as merely conchological 
characters. The examination of young shells is most important 
for this reason, and we find that adults which resemble one 
another rather closely can often be traced back to young forms that 
differ considerably. In conditions such as those found in Lower 
Mesopotamia, and also in most parts of Persia, convergence seems 
to have taken place between different species of the genus on a 
fairly extensive scale, and forms which are perhaps not closely 
related genetically have come to resemble one another owing to 
the plastic influence of environment. 

In Seistan we know of two species of the L. auricularia group 
(L. gedrosiana and L. baclrianu) which at first sight appear almost 
identical, but on a detailed investigation have proved quite dis- 
tinct. We are of the opinion that these species each had a differ- 
ent line of ancestry, but have thought it best in the present 
state of our knowledge not to discuss these lines of ancestry in 
detail. 

Similarly in collections from Tower Mesopotamia we have 
found five forms that seemed to us on a superficial examination to 
grade the one into the other. ‘Two of these (L. gedrosiana and 
L. bactriana) are the same as the two Seistan species. The others 
are L. peregra canalifera, L. tenera euphratica and L. cor. 

It is important, therefore, to consider what common features 
are to be found in the forms of each country, and to what extent 
these features can be correlated with peculiarities of environment. 
Both Lower Mesopotamia and Seistan are countries that have a 
prolonged dry season, when the temperature is high, and are 
nevertheless liable to floods. In Seistan the water always contains 
a high percentage of mineral salts, while the delta of the Tigris and 
Euphrates is an estuarine tract in which even water that is practi- 
cally fresh is probably liable to be contaminated with water of com- 
paratively high salinity. Moreover, this tract has been gradually 
extending southwards and receding from the north for a consider- 
able period, and many of our specimens are from old deposits that 
must have been laid down in conditions far more estuarine than 


1919.] N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHap: Gastropod Molluscs. 105 


those that now prevail in the districts where the specimens were 
collected. 

Both the species of Limnaea from Seistan and those from 
Mesopotamia have in most instances small and very thin and fragile 
shells, which are sculptured with more or less prominent longitudinal 
tibs, but the ribs on those from Mesopotamia are much more pro- 
nounced than on Seistan shells. This is so even in identical 
species. The shape of the shell in most forms exhibits slightly 
different modifications in the two countries. The two Seistan 
species are both rather narrow but have relatively large and 
patent mouths and short, pointed spires. The three distinct Meso- 
potamian forms exhibit a tendency, on the other hand, to grow 
broad in proportion to their height, while their spires are still 
shorter. ‘Their mouths, in the broader forms, are relatively narrow 
but on the whole resemble those of L. gedrosiana and L. bactriana. 
An entirely new character appears in Mesopotamia in the canaliza- 
tion of the suture above the body-whorl found in all the endemic 
species and well-defined races. 

How far can these differences and resemblances be correlated 
with similar peculiarities of the shell from different or identical 
types of environment in other countries ? Baker,’ in his fine mono- 
graph of the North American Limnaeidae, states that shells from 
saline districts in that country are prominently ribbed, but whether 
this ribbing is associated with the presence of any particular salt 
we are not informed. We know ina general way what salts are 
present in the waters of Seistan,? but no information is available 
about the composition of those of the Euphratic delta. 

Thinness, fragility and paleness of shell in Lemmaca are usually 
associated with unfavourable conditions of life, but more precise 
information is needed on the point. The reduction of the spire and 
enlargement of the body-whorl and mouth provide additional space 
for the branchial chamber and allow a larger portion of the animal 
to be extended from the shell. This character, moreover, seems 
to be definitely correlated with difficulty in obtaining the necessary 
oxygen, and we find different forms of the same species 3 (living in 
different types of environment in the same localities) in which it is 
more developed in those that live in still water than in those that 
inhabit streams. Both in Seistan and in Mesopotamia the Lamnaeae 
live mainly in flooded country, perishing in large numbers when the 
floods subside. The few individuals that survive to perpetuate the 
species from year to year retire to shallow pools, backwaters or 
lakes. In the course of such an existence conditions must be 
encountered in which life is difficult and water lacking in free 
oxygen. 

The Limnaeae of Mesopotamia are, except L. peregra canalifera, 
clearly depauperated forms, and the considerably larger size attained 


{ Baker, Spec. Pub. Chicago Ac. Sci. U11 (1911). 
i Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XVIII, pp. 10, 15 (1919). 
8 Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XIV, p. 149, fig. 4 (1918). 


106 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo,. XVIII, 


by this race is in itself evidence of a different origin from that of 
the others associated with it—evidence which is greatly strength- 
ened by an examination of the young shell. 

In this discussion we have left L. hordeum out of account. It 
is so different from the other species of the fauna that there can be 
no doubt of its different origin ; there can be little doubt of its re- 
lationship to L. truncatula. It has, however, a larger mouth to the 
shell than that species and more tumid whorls, especially of the 
spire. It has, therefore, followed a line of evolution in some res- 
pects parallel to, in others divergent from, that which has resulted 
in such forms as L. cor. 


Key to shells of Limnaea from S. Persia and Lower Mesopotamia. 


A. Height of mouth less than 3 that of shell.1 
1. Whorls of spire tumid; suture oblique _ .., ... L. hordeum. 
2. Whorls of spire not tumid; suture much less oblique... L. truncatula. 
B. Length of mouth more than % that of shell. 
1. Upper surface of body-whorl not flattened; suture 
above it not canalized. (Height less than 20 mm.) 
a. Mouth of shell projecting strongly in ventral view ; 
arc of lip practically a semicircle... ... WL. persica: 
b. Mouth less expanded, projecting less; arc of lip less 
than a semicircle. 
i. Whorls of spire somewhat tumid 2; suture 
impressed ; main axis of mouth forming an 
acute angle with that of shell. ... ... L. bactriana. 
ii. Whorls of spire not at all tumid; suture little 
or not at all impressed; main axis of mouth 
parallel to that of shell. 
a Arc of lip quite regular; apex sharply 
pointed 2a Sas ... L. tranica: 
8 Arc of lip irregular; apex bluntly pointed. 
+ Arc of lip never more than slightly 


flattened... Ae ... L. gedrosiana. 
* Arc of lip so flattened as to form a 
slanting straight line ... ... L. gedrosiana var. 
vectilabrum. 


2. Upper surface of body-whorl distinctly flattened and 
deeply depressed round suture. 
a. Shell over 15 mm. high, not very fragile, with the 
spire usually about + as long as the body-whorl [fera. 
and the latter much narrower than high .. L. peregra canalt- 
b. Shell not higher than 15 mm., fragile, with the spire 
always less than 1 the height of the body-whorl, 
which is as broad or nearly as broad as high. 
i Spire very small; upper surface of body-whorl 
transverse, almost at right angles to the main 
axis; deeply depressed round suture Br Fay A 
ii Spire small; upper margin of body-whorl cutting 
main axis obliquely, less depressed round suture. L. tenera euph- 
vatica. 


The key applies only to adult shells; for young shells our 
figures in the plates issued with this paper and our former one 


1 Cf. p. 41, Rec. Ind. Mus. XVIII. The specimens now before us show 
that the mouth may be, and probably always is in the adult, more than 3 as long 
as the shell. 

2 On p. 45, line 19 of this volume, the word ‘‘ greatly” has slipped out be- 
tween ‘‘not’’ and “ swollen.’’ 


Ig19.] N. ANNANDALE & B. PRAsHAD: Gastropod Molluscs. 107 


on the molluscs of Seistan may be consulted (see plates vi, vii, 
Xiii, xiv of this volume). 


Limnaea gedrosiana, Annand. and Prashad. 
1918. Limnaea subpersica, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XV, p. 146, 
Plex Ho he 
1919. Limmaea gedrostana, Annandale and Prashad, Rec. nd. Mus. 
XVIII, p. 48, pl. vil, figs. 2-4. 

There is in Captain Boulenger’s collection a fairly good series 
of specimens in spirit which we cannot separate from our recently 
described species. The shells, however, though not thicker or 
less fragile, possess much stronger longitudinal ridges on the body- 
whorl than specimens from Seistan or Baluchistan. ‘There is no 
spiral sculpture. The mouth of the shell is also as a rule a little 
narrower, but this difference is hardly beyond the limits of normal 
variation and is not so great as that observed between shells from 
Baluchistan and those from Seistan. The largest shell is 10 mm. 
high and its maximum diameter is 7 mm. The specimen recently 
figured by one of us provisionally as L. subpersica, Locard, is a 
very young shell of this species. 

The radula is so variable in L. gedrosiana that it cannot be 
regarded in this species as possessing sound diagnostic characters. 
In a specimen from Mesopctamia it is very like that of some 
individuals from Baluchistan. 

The genitalia resemble those of the Seistan form figured and 
described by us in the original description of the species. Some 
differences exist, but these are due to the fact that the Seistan 
specimen we figured was abnormal in certain respects, as is borne 
out by dissection of another specimen from the same country. This 
specimen was found to have the genitalia quite similar to those of 
specimens in the present collection. The abnormality in the indivi- 
dual figured consisted in the large development of the accessory 
gland and in the poorer development of the hermaphrodite gland, 
its duct and the uterine duct; all these latter structures are much 
better developed in normal specimens, while the accessory gland is 
usually a small structure. The proximal part of the vas deferens 
also is rather thicker in normal specimens. 

It is clear, therefore, that individual differences must be looked 
for in the genitalia as well as in the shell and radula of species 
belonging to this group of Limnaea. 

The precise locality of Capt. Boulenger’s specimens is given 
by him as ‘‘ higher reaches of Khandag Creek, Basra, Mesopota- 
mia.’’ The species is not uncommon in swamp-deposits in the 
delta of the Euphrates. 


Limnaea bactriana, Hutton. 


(Ph SIV, fig. 33) 


1919. Limnaea bactriana, Annandale and Prashad, Rec. Ind. Mus. 
XVIII, p. 45, pl: v,-figs. 1, 2% pl. vil, fig. 6. 


108 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Three specimens in spirit collected by Capt. Boulenger in ponds 
connected with the Khandag Creek in a palm-grove near Basra 
seem to belong to this species. The shells are, however, thicker and 
are sculptured with curious flattened opaque ribs on the body-whorl. 
The form is also narrower, perhaps because the specimens had not 
reached their full growth, and the basal whorl of the spire is smaller 
and not so distinctly separated from the body-whorl. Otherwise 
the spire has the characteristic features of Hutton’s species. A shell 
is I0o°5 mm. long, and its maximum diameter is 6 mm. 

The three shells are all more or less broken. With more 
abundant material racial differences might perhaps be found between 
shells from the eastern parts of the range of the species and those 
from Mesopotamia. 

The radula of a specimen has the approximate formula 18.8.1. 
8.18. The asymmetry of the cusps of the central tooth is very 
distinctly marked, as also is its tridentate character. ‘The inner cusp. 
of the lateral tooth though situated at a higher level than the outer 
is not much larger; all the cusps of the laterals, however, are 
pointed, differing in this respect from those of the Seistan specimens. 
The marginals have four to seven blunt cusps, all situated in the 
same straight line, and one or two small pointed cusps situated on 
the outer margins of the teeth near the base. 

The genitalia. Owing to paucity of material and to the speci- 
mens being very much contracted we are not able to add much 
to our previous account. The genitalia of a Mesopotamian speci- 
men resemble those of specimens from Seistan except that the 
uterine duct is much thicker at its commencement, the prostate 
is better developed and lies a little higher up on the male duct, 
which also is much thicker in its proximal part. ‘These differ- 
ences may be due at any rate in part to the state of sexual activity 
in which the molluscs were killed. 


Limnaea peregra race canalifera, Mousson. 
(BE XE, fies. 1,72.) 


1874. Limnaea canalifera, Mousson, Fourn. de Conchyl. XXI, p. 41. 
1918. Limnaea peregriformis, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XV, p. 165, 
Diese ares eal, 

This is much the largest form of Limnaea known to us from 
Mesopotamia, and the only one in which the shell grows more 
than 20 mm. long. The shell is also stouter and more coarsely 
sculptured than that of other species from the lower Euphrates. 
It has as a rule—though the fact is not mentioned in the original 
description—one more whorl, 7.e. five whorls instead of four. 

In dorsal view the shell is very asymmetrical bilaterally. The 
spire is acuminate, conical, vertical, exserted but short, but not 
so short as that of other shells of the same group from Meso- 
potamia, being at least (in adult shells) 1 as long as the body- 
whorl. Its whorls increase rapidly and evenly iu size and the 
spiral between them is oblique, linear and somewhat impressed. 


1919.]| N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHap: Gastropod Molluscs. 109 


Each whorl is nearer the inner than the outer margin of the one 
that succeeds it. They are slightly swollen and slightly flattened 
above. The apex is small and rounded. The body-whorl is long 
but rather narrow and not very convex. Its upper surface is 
flattened and oblique but not angulate. The inner margin is 
Z-shaped, the upper half of the outline consisting of a somewhat 
flat curve. It then slopes in fairly abruptly and finally forms a 
broad projecting lobe, which corresponds with the inner anterior 
angle of the mouth. This lobe does not project so far sideways 
as the outline of the upper part of the whorl. ‘The outer margin 
of the whorl forms an arc of wide diameter and less than a semi- 
circle. The surface is not highly polished. It is ornamented with 
rather coarse and irregular longitudinal ridges, some of which may 
be called low costae, and striae. Minute spiral striae are also 
‘present. ‘The first three whorls are, however, almost smooth. 

In ventral view the shell is ovoid. The body-whorl is swollen 
above and transverse at its upper margin. It disappears behind 
the mouth some little distance above the anterior extremity of the 
latter. The shell is very narrowly rimate. The mouth is long and 
somewhat expanded, ovate, nearly vertical, sometimes narrowly 
rounded or truncate both above and below, sometimes pointed above 
and rounded below. ‘lhe lip is thin and sharp and its curvature 
is often uneven but never highly convex. The callus is well 
developed above, joining the columellar border to the lip. The 
columella is long and twisted but not curved. The margin of the 
mouth is long, straight and vertical below the umbilicus. The 
columellar border is expanded and flattened over the umbilicus. 
The inner anterolateral border of the mouth is very slightly ex- 
panded and produced. The sculpture of the surface is not so 
well developed in this view as in the dorsal. 

As seen from above, the spire increases gradually but often 
irregularly and the suture becomes gradually more impressed until 
it is practically canaliculate as it approaches the outer lip. 

The radula has the dental formula 13.8.1.8.13. The central 
tooth though minute is distinctly bicuspid, having a small, 
sharp subsidiary cusp at the base of the main one, which is narrow 
and sharp. The laterals are tricuspid and their cusps are long, 
slender and sharply pointed. The lateral cusps are equal and a 
little smaller than the central one, but the inner cusp arises at a 
considerably lower level than the outer one. ‘The marginals are 
very uniform in structure. Each has three (or occasionally four) 
subequal cusps arranged in a slanting line. The only difference 
between those of the inner and the outer rows is that in the later 
the cusps are blunter and a little less regular in shape. 

The jaw is broad, dark and stout. The free margin of the 
upper part is broadly truncate and the internal surface is concave 
in the middle region. 

The animal, as seen in a highly contracted state and preserved 
in spirit, offers no particular external diagnostic features. The 
mantle is pale with large dark spots. 


IIO Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo.. XVIII, 


The genitalia. On comparing the genitalia of this form with 
those of L, gedrosiana' we find that the hermaphrodite gland is 
much larger and more lobose. The hermaphrodite duct is much 
longer, more convoluted and more swollen in its distal portion. 
The situation of the prostate is similar but the gland itself is larger 
and the upper part of the male duct above the prostate much 
more swollen; the penis-sac is also more elongate. The uterus is 
swollen in the middle but pointed at the two ends. The sper- 
matheca has a shorter duct than in L. gedrosiana, but nearly equal 
in length to the spermatheca itself. 


HG. 

Phy 
AL.G. 
Ac. 
Sits 
“Sp.D. 
\ 
<< 2 
PS. 
3 


Fig. 1.—Genitalia of Limnaea peregra canalifera, Mousson. 


Measurements (in millimetres) and Proportions of Shells. 


Height is xh 21 21 17 17 
Maximum diameter BS: 15 13 3 13 1 
Height of mouth .,, 4: 16 17'5 15 14 I2 
Maximum diameter of mouth 8 8 i ff 5 
Maximum diameter to height 

of shell a6 Teale [ie 06 Oh sess 
Maximum diameter to height 

of mouth a i ne) 1 OPT Pe Pale | kB PAL 
Height of mouth to that of 

shell see hoe in WBN Teel a2 eo mliaett hele 
Maximum diameter of mouth 

to that of shell ... i! PesLO7 1 oe HeplsO2en aly: Wag lon pega eae 


1 Rec. Ind. Mus. XVIII, p. 40, fig. 5B (1919). 


1919.] N. ANNANDALE & B. PrasHapD: Gastropod Molluscs. 111 


The height of the shell is from 12 to 13 the maximum dia- 
meter; the height of the mouth at least twice its maximum dia- 
meter. The height of the shell is from 12 to 12 that of the mouth 
and the maximum diameter from 13 to 21 that of the mouth. 

Capt. Boulenger obtained a number of living specimens in the 
Khandag Creek at Basra. 

The specimen recently figured by one of us and assigned pro- 
visionally to L. peregriformis, Iocard, is a young shell of this 
species. It differs considerably from older ones. Adult shells only 
differ from a series from the Rhineland in the Indian Museum, 
labelled L. ovata var. inflata, in having the upper surface of the 
body-whorl flatter and more depressed round the suture. 


Limnaea cor, sp. nov. 
(PL LE figs, as) 


The shell is moderately small (less than 15 mm. high), thin 
and fragile, diaphanous, tinged with rose-pink when fresh, con- 
spicuously striate longitudinally, and remarkable for its short, erect 
acuminate spire, the base of which is deeply depressed, and its 
large, irregularly heart-shaped, transverse body-whorl, the maxi- 
mum diameter of which is practically the same as the height. 

In dorsal view the following particulars are apparent: The 
spire consists of three whorls and is not more than ¢ as high at 
the body-whorl. The apical whorl is minute and rounded, the 
second at least three times as deep and broad as the first, which 
is set upon it nearer the inner than the outer margin of the shell. 
It is somewhat convexly flattened above and its outer margin 
slopes gradually outwards and downwards, while its inner margin 
is vertical. ‘The third whorl, which is at least five times as large 
as the second, possesses the same characters in a more developed 
manner. ‘The suture of the spire is oblique, linear and depressed, 
but not very deeply. The body-whorl is bilaterally very asym- 
metrical and irregularly heart-shaped. Its upper surface is broad- 
ly flattened and decidedly angulate at its outer margin. The 
suture just above it is deep and broad. ‘The inner margin is con- 
spicuously Z-shaped. In its upper half it is very convex, repre- 
senting an arc of nearly a semicircle. It then slopes gradually 
inwards for some distance, and finally projects outwards to form 
a semicircular lobe corresponding to the outer anterior extremity 
of the lip. Just above this lobe there is a broad, slanting longi- 
tudinal depression on the surface of the shell. The outer margin 
of the whorl possesses a fairly even convexity in an arc greater 
than a semicircle, but its middle region is often more or less flat- 
tened and straight. The upper and outer part of the whorl is 
tumid, but the surface slopes somewhat abruptly towards both the 
lip and the anterior extremity of the shell. The sculpture on this 
surface is conspicuous even to a good naked eye, but has a very 
delicate appearance. It consists, as seen under a powerful lens, 


LIZ Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. <VELL, 


of numerous curved, flattened ridges or fine ribs separated by 
sharp-cut furrows and themselves composed of numerous sharp 
lesser ridges divided by striae. Transverse striae are ill-developed 
or obsolete. ‘The polish of the surface is exceptionally bright. 

In ventral view the spire appears nearly of the same size as 
in dorsal view and, except that the spiral is of course reversed, has 
much the same appearance. ‘The body-whorl in this view is broad 
and transverse above, with its surface highly convex, but it dis- 
appears rapidly behind the mouth, which is of great relative length 
and nearly in the same axis as that of the shell. The mouth is 
more or less quadrate, narrowly truncate or subtruncate above 
and by no means broadly rounded at its anterior end, where the 
lip is hardly at all expanded or everted. Its upper extremity is 
situated a very short distance below that of the body-whorl The 
lip is sharp and convex in an arc greater than a semicircle. Its 
are is, however, often a little flattened in the middle region and 
the extreme margin is occasionally introverted in this flattened 
part. The callus is well developed but not coarse above, con- 
necting the columellar border with the lip. The columella is 
strongly arcuate. Its expanded border completely or almost com- 
pletely closes the narrowly rimate umbilicus. Below the body- 
whorl the inner edge of the mouth is straight and vertical. The 
sculpture on this surface is not so delicate or regular as on the 
dorsal surface and the polish is less marked. 

As seen from above the shell presents several characteristic 
features. Rapid and regular increase of the whorls is apparent 
and also the flattened upper surface of all the whorls but the apical 
one. It is also evident that the upper surface of the body-whorl 
is not only flattened towards its margin, but deeply hollowed out- 
side the suture, especially in the region near the lip. The lip pro- 
jects from the shell with an almost semicircular concavity in its 
margin and then slopes outwards gradually. 


Measurements (in millimetres) and Proportions of Shells. 


Height <: ce 12°0 110 10°5 8°25 
Maximum diameter as Q°5 8'°5 05 Bors 
Height of mouth a 10°O g'0 8°5 55 
Maximum diameter of mouth 0°5 oes 5'0 3°0 
Maximum diameter to height 

of shell ra seer MIRO) OL 2 Oy shes Tete lee 5 
Maximum diameter to height 

of mouth a cic Sie Tiel S45 miler 3 7s eaaT aoe 


The total height of the shell varies from almost equal to 
1} times the maximum diameter. In young shells it may be as 
much as 14 times as great. The height of the mouth is about 14 
times its maximum diameter and nearly + the total height. Its 
maximum diameter is from about 4 to about # that of the shell. 
The proportions of the height of the spire and the body-whorl vary 
owing to the fact that the former is occasionally almost flat. 
Type-serties. No. 1188s M. Z.S.I. (Ind. Mus.). 


1919.] N. ANNANDALE & B. PRASHAD: Gastropod Molluscs. 113 


The type-series consists of recent shells and was collected by 
Capt. C. L. Boulenger in a marsh five miles north of Samara on 
the lower Euphrates. Col. W. H. Lane also obtained many broken 
subfossil shells in a lake-deposit at Nasariyeh. 

Limnaea cor bears a tesemblance, perhaps quite superficial, to 
certain forms of L. auricularia and allied species or races, but the 
direction of the spiral, the form of the spire and body-whorl and 
especially the comparatively narrow, quadrate or subquadrate out- 
line of the mouth are very different on actual comparison. It is 
probably an extreme form derived from L. lagotis. The young 
shell departs much less conspicuously from this type than the 
adult. It is unfortunate that we have no anatomical material. 


Limnaea tenera race euphratica, Mousson. 
(Pl. XIII, figs. 3-5.) 
1874. Limnaea euphratica, Mousson, Fourn. de Conchyl. XX1, p. 4o. 
1918. Bere tenera, Annandale, Rec. nd. Mus. XVI, p. 165, pl. xx, 
§: 3: 

At first sight the shell looks like a connecting link between 
L. peregra canalifera and L, cor, but many differences from both 
appear on a close inspection. Both the adult and the young shell 
are more like those of L. cor. 

The differences from L. cor to be noted in the dorsal aspect 
of the mature shell are the following. The spire is longer and more 
prominent and has its basal whorl less depressed and more swollen 
and its suture less transverse. The upper surface of the body- 
whorl is less broadly flattened and the suture above it less trans- 
verse. The outline of the shell is more graceful and still more 
asymmetrical. The upper part of the inner margin is less convex 
and the slope inwards more abrupt and the terminal lobe more 
prominent and narrower. ‘The outer margin is practically semi- 
circular. The sculpture of the surface is less regular and the com- 
posite longitudinal ribs less distinct and less curved. 

In ventral view the part of the body-whorl visible is longer, 
narrower and less tumid. Its upper margin is more oblique and 
less flattened. ‘The spire is considerably shorter than in the dorsal 
view. The upper extremity of the mouth is removed from that of 
the body-whorl by a distance nearly equal to the length of the spire 
as seen in this view. ‘The outline of the mouth is regularly oval. 
The lip at its inner anterior extremity is distinctly expanded and 
flattened. The callus is poorly developed above the columella, 
which is straighter. 

As seen from above, the most noteworthy differences between 
the shells are, apart from those already noted in the dorsal and 
ventral views, (I) that the surface of the body-whorl is much less 
concave and that its concavity near the lip has a less confined 
character; (2) that the lip on leaving the shell has at first a com- 
paratively narrow concavity and then proceeds outwards and back- 
wards abruptly with a slight arc. 


II4 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


The specimens we have examined are also colourless and 
opaque and seem to be thicker than those of L. cor, but they are 
perhaps not so fresh. 


Measurements (in millimetres) and Proportions of Shells. 


Height = si 13 10°5 II 10°5 75 
Maximum diameter Bic 8 0°5 a 7'0 5°25 
Height of mouth FS: II 8:0 qs 725 6:0 
Maximum diameter of 

mouth ae aie 5°25 45 4°5 3°25 3°0 
Maximum diameter to 

height of shell pase sLesm Seal eelal D057 80-5 These 
Maximum diameter to 

height of mouth Ut ta QOO REL 77 aL sa 7 1272 Kee 


These measurements, few as they are, illustrate the variable 
character of the race. We do not, however, find it possible to 
draw any line between the forma typica and Mousson’s var. angus- 
tior, as narrowness of the shell and flattening of the are of the lip 
are by no means always correlated and shells with the arc of the 
lip flattened are mixed indiscriminately with those in which it is 
convex. The mouth, however, is as a rule narrower and more 
elongate than in the typical L. teneva, Kiister, and the shell seems 
to be more variable, some individuals departing from the forma 
typica more than others. (Kiister, however, only figures one 
shell). For these reasons we think it best to recognize the Meso- 
potamian race as distinct, though not specifically. Fully adult 
shells are perhaps more different than young ones. ‘The differences 
between the extreme types of the typical form of the race and its 
phase angustior and those between phases A and B of L. bactrt- 
ana are very much the same, but intermediate individuals are 
much more numerous. 

L. tenera euphratica is common along the banks of the lower 
Euphrates in both recent and subfossil deposits. Capt. Boulenger 
obtained a series of rather small shells in a marsh 5 miles north of 
Samara. 


Limnaea hordeum, Mousson. 


(Pl. XV; figs..4).53) 
1874. Limnaea hordeum, Mousson, Journ. de Conchyl. XXII, p. 42. 
1919. Limnaea hordeam, Annandale & Prashad, Rec. /nd. Mus. XVIII, 
p- 57, pl. vil. fig..5. 

We have found in the collection of the Indian Museum a shell 
(identified by Mr. H. B. Preston as Succinea bensom, var.). which 
we believe to represent the adult of this species. It was associated 
with a young shell of L. gedrostana under the same name and came 
from the banks of the Gaud-i-Zirreh in the Afghan desert, where 
it was collected by Sir Henry McMahon some years ago. This 
shell agrees better in dimensions with Mousson’s type than those 
we have hitherto examined but is slightly larger. It differs from 
young shells in having the body-whorl proportionately smaller and 
the mouth larger and broader and the lip thinner—differences that 


1919.] N. ANNANDALE & B. PRASHAD: Gastropod Molluscs. 115 


might be expected in an adult shell, The measurements are as 
follows :—Height 7 mm., maximum diameter 3°5 mm., height of 
mouth 4°77 mm., maximum diameter of mouth 2°2 mm. 

The species is only known in what may be a subfossil state. 
It has been found on the banks of the lower Euphrates at two 
places, in Seistan, and in the Afghan desert to the south-east of 
that district. The Gaud-i-Zirreh is a great basin of strongly 
saline marshland into which the Helmand river at one time drained. 
See p. 4 and plate r of this volume. 

The adult shell is still more like that of L. truncatula than 
the young, but the same differences persist in a sufficiently strong 
degree for specific separation. The Mesopotamian specimens we 
have examined are all young. 


RT Ne <4 we 


ee ee ae 


“a ' . - 
= a a 
he 
~~ = 
1! | a 
sh Poe 5 
= ee *y 
; P= 
4 an) i 
a ae es Baio ty: 
ave ani fo > eee Sra 3 
a | Wy dite -: dee, ead ela ee 
26: siopenane iat eee Hey aoe 
= Li eal ie heath ee aie 
, ele oie eee See: 
: - OE 
: tC @e Q > hag 
one a ee 
= o cr a OS ive of 
_ 7 @is if i = 
SS . j rf wy aay = is 
‘ 7 .- : aS n 
: ya \-4 
’ i: wes ite 
Cay ee 
- = - 
{ aa jeg 
3550 
, ~ - oe PD. dawnt 
, <I I Je 
! 


2 : 
= - 
“ 7 “ y 
’ ; : ota TA oe 
— > Fews ' ; 7a 
ho @ sb. Geereasaay yee 


E Sader - Sa ed ty = US oy ea sate 
“me Se- hee rey Sight nates cies Sem ; 
ew ye 4 ae, wesrT thier 
afte Geetditan aie aah ahi 
aes Be ae 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIII. 


Limnaea cor, sp. nov. 
Fic. 1.—Type-specimen from marsh near Samara, Mesopotamia. 
Actual height 12 mm. 
2.—Young shell from the same locality. Actual height 6 mm. 


Limnaea tenera euphratica, Mousson. 
Fic. 3,34.—Shell of the phase angustior, Mousson, from a marsh 
near Samara. Actual height 10°5 mm. 
4.—Shell of the forma typica of the race from the same locality. 
Actual height 10°5 mm. 


5.—Young shell from the same locality. Actual height 
6°5 mm. 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. 


Plate XIll. 


A. Chowdhary del. 


LIMNAEIDAE OF MESOPOTAMIA 


ith 2 


il whey fists: =} ; t Piste ¥ fteite Pi oe 


a agi, ; Asie ot 


eemehiiai ty: b-s\7 1 5) Seger 8 Pe nen 
ji olf Qo e ile 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIV. 


Limnaea peregra canalifera, Mousson. 
Fic. 1.—Shell from Khandag Creek near Basra. Actual height 
22 mm. 
2.—Young shell from the same locality. Actual height 
7°5 mim. 


Limnaea bactriana, Hutton. 


Fic. 3.—Shell from Khandag Creek near Basra. Actual height 
8 mm. 


Limnaea hordeum, Mousson. 
Fic. 4.—Adult shell (? subfossil) from the Gaud-i-Zirreh in the 
Afghan Baluch desert. Actual height 7 mm. 


5.—Young shell (? subfossil) from the banks of the Euphrates 
at Nasariyeh, Mesopotamia. Actual height 4°5 mm. 


Plate XIV. 


REC. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. 


‘VINVLOdOSAW AO AVGCIFVNWIT 


. 


[EP SeU PASH OY 


NAY ee a hay ae 

pit 7 ve y 

ris ~ : is 

- aa : - 
- - : 7 


= ys el ev 


SET Ls |p3, oper ct 
Vira neu 


ON A NEW. GENUS AND) SPECIES. .OF 
COCCIDAK FROM NORTH-WESTERN. INDIA 
AND. EA STE RNG) PaeeR Sian. 


By E. ERNEST GREEN, F.E.S., F.Z.S. 


(With Plates XXI—XXII.) 


Genus Naiacoccus, nov. 


Characters as in Eviwm (of the subfamily Pseudococcinae) : 
but with an enormously elongated ovisac, within the anterior 
extremity of which the adult insect lies concealed. Type serpen- 
dimus, Green. 


Naiacoccus serpentinus, sp. nov. 


Adult female occupying the extremity ofa long, white, tubular 
ovisac which may form either a simple loop or be twisted into an 
irregular coil (see fig. 1). When uncoiled and extended the ovisac 
may attain a length of approximately one and three-quarter inches, 
the average length being well over one inch. 

Adult female, removed from the ovisac, dull slaty grey or pur- 
plish brown: broadly ovoid when viewed from above (fig. 20) : 
irregularly tumescent when viewed from the side (fig. 2a): the 
dorsai area of the abdomen contracted and transversely wrinkled, 
the posterior segments assuming a dorsal position. Antennae 
small, 7- to 9-jointed (see fig. 3), the proportionate lengths of the 
several joints varying considerably. The normal number is ap- 
parently 8 (fig. 3b, c, d), the larger number (fig. 3a) being excep- 
tional and produced by a fracture of the normal 4th joint, while 
the smaller number has presumably resulted from the fusion of 
two joints (fig. 3f). In some instances the division between the 
7th and 8th is incomplete (see fig. 3e). Apex of terminal joint 
truncate or obtuse, with 5 or 6 stout hairs: each of the remain- 
ing joints usually witli r or 2 small hairs on one side. Limbs 
small but comparatively stout (fig. 4): the tibia and tarsus 
together markedly shorter than the femur and _ trochanter; 
coxa unusually large, especially in some examples (see fig. 40) ; 
digitules simple. Anal ring (fig. 5) with 6 stout setae: some 
smaller setae immediately above and below the anal aperture. 
Anal lobes inconspicuous, represented by two small rounded 
prominences on the dorsum—one on each side of, and slightly below 
the anal aperture (see fig. 2b). Spines of the form shown at 
fig. 5b occur in transverse series across the dorsum of the abdomi- 
nal segments—sparsely on the basal but more numerously on the 


118 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vou. XVIII, 


posterior segments. Similar spines are clustered on the small anal 
lobes and on a corresponding tract on the preceding segment. 
Intermingled with the spines are many minute, obscurely trilocular 
pores, which occur (rather more abundantly) on the venter also. 
There are some larger circular pores near the posterior extremity 
of the venter. Length (under compression) 2°5 to 4mm. Breadth 
2 to 3 mm. 

The early adult insect (before the production of the ovisac) is 
enclosed in a more compact, felted covering, of a grayish ochreous 
colour, which may be observed—even in older examples—as a 
pointed cap at the anterior extremity of the ovisac. The freshly 
deposited eggs are of a pale yellow colour, but become reddish 
before hatching. The number of ova produced by a single female 
probably amounts to several thousands. 

On a large arboreal Tamarisk (Tamartx articulata). Y.ahore. 
Collected by Dr. N. Annandalein May. ‘‘ T. articulata is one of the 
chief shade-trees in Lahore. Mr. Sundar Lal Hora, M.Sc., Research 
Assistant, Z.S.1., found the Coccid upon it in abundance in Octo- 
ber, but I have failed to do so on several occasions in January. 
INAS 

The extraordinary masses of tangled ovisacs must be very 
conspicuous objects on the trees, but might easily be mistaken for 
collections of bird droppings, st.ch as may often be seen on branches 
beneath the roosting places of flocks of sparrows. The insects 
excrete a considerable amount of viscid fluid which soon assumes 
a brownish colour. 

Lt.-Col. Stephenson (of the Government College, Lahore), to 
whom I am indebted for some excellent photographs of the insect 
and for fresh living material, informs me that—in nature—the 
long ovisac is always attached at each end, forming a simple loop. 
The subsequent tangled condition may be the result of wind. 


Naiacoccus serpentinus var. minor, nov. 


Distinguishable from the type by its smaller size and by the 
greater number of dorsal spines and dermal pores (fig. 6f). The 
circular pores of the venter are particularly conspicuous and are 
densely crowded on the posterior segments (see fig. 6g). The 
average size of the insect ranges from 1°5 to 3 mm.; but little 
difference can be observed in the length of the ovisacs which have 
precisely the same appearance as those of typical serpentinus. 
The antennae (figs. 6a-d) are shorter, the number of joints 
varying from 5 to 7, being usually reduced by complete or partial 
fusion. In some examples only 5 complete joints can be distin- 
guished ; but the 6-jointed from (fig. 6b, c) is the most frequent. 

On Tamarix stricta. Collected by Dr. N. Annandale in two 
localities several hundred miles apart, viz. :— 

No. 8740, “‘In desert north of Nasratabad in Seistan, Eastern 
Persia; November. The roots and stems of T. stricta, which 


1919. | HK. K. GREEN: New Coccidae. IIg 


rarely grows larger than a small bush, are the chief source of fire- 


wood in Seistan.”’ 
No. 8745, ‘From Kushdil Khan, in the Pishin District north 


of Quetta, Baluchistan ; December.” 


oni 


seats (es Kees vole eared ae 

i Oe! (ewe es 7 : ae . 

Beir rnriin nbtaks seh an eae al ~ wr ey 

5 . a Pie ee: a ta 2 ~ F 2 Mec 
ae te vie? aie an Sonos me 

2 meres "Sig “s ) wT 7s) | ria Sar 


= 


r = a ee 
. = oe ra eh 


Aaa Ae ~ 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXI. 


Fic. 1.—Natacoccus serpentinus. Collection of ovisacs, on branch 
of Tamarix articulata; Xabout 2. (From photograph 
by Lt-Col. Stephenson.) 

,, 2.—Natacoccus serpentinus. (a) Diagrammatic view from 
side of adult female ; (0) dorsal view; X 15. 

55 3-—Naiacoccus serpentinus. (a-f) Different forms of anten- 
nae of adult female; X 220. 


REG. IND. MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919 Plate XXI. 


3. 
COCCIDAE FROM N. W. INDIA & PERSIA. 


) Ore Atte 


’ : ‘< net 
“ Oyen ASTOR EN ib Ar 
le cgegy Si abip ln 
ee 7 eee en 
Peet ii} ; 1 hie ite 


e 
“> 2) ay Pees 
a® a i 
erect Pre 317 it ur 


— 


| ‘aoe net, 20h pine et 
_ ey Ca 
eer gs 3(ht 


4 Py y : yeh 0 ’ 
¥ | Ons ‘ oliver aha s- 
Be pert 


clr) au) aes 


: ot : 


EXPLANATION “OF PLATE Xr 


Fic. 4.—Natacoccus serpentinus. (a-c) Various forms of mid leg 
of adult female; X 220. 


5.—Naiacoccus serpentinus. (a) Anal ring of adult female 
and surrounding parts; XxX 130. (0) Spines and pores 
from dorsum ; X 450. 


9 


,, ©.—Nazacoccus serpentinus. var. minor. (a-d) Ditferent forms 
of antennae of adult female; X 220. (e) Mid leg of 
adult female; xX 220. (f) Dorsal spines and pores; xX 
450. (g) Circular pores, from venter of abdomen; X 


450. 


Plate XXIl. 


MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1919. 


REG. IND. 


INDIA & PERSIA. 


COCCIDAE FROM N. W. 


ny 


MOTES ON TWO; COLEBC ELON S, OF BlL RDS 
FROM Sis TAN: 


By i. (C. STUART BAKERY P.L.S%,) FZ:S3 BOs CP ALOU. 


In the years 1903-05 a small collection of birds numbering 
106 specimens was made by Mr. J. W. N. Cumming and other mem- 
bers of the Seistan Arbitration Commission and has been described 
by him in Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. XVI, pp. 686-699 (1905). 
Another, consisting of only 31 specimens, was obtained by Dr. 
N. Annandale and Mr. S.W. Kemp on their recent visit to Seistan. 
Both these collections belong to the Indian Museum. As it was 
throughout advisable that the specimens should be named after 
comparison with the magnificent material available in the British 
Museum, especially with that in the Hume collection, the Director 
of the Zoological Survey of India kindly sent me the birds to work 
out 

The results show that the collection of 137 specimens contain 
examples of 79 species all of which belong to the Indian avifauna 
with the exception of Sylvia mystacea and Passer moabtticus vatit. 

The geographical affinities are Indo-Palaearctic, the races of 
resident birds nearly all belonging tothe Palaearctic rather than to 
the Indian forms; for instance Corvus cornix sharpit, Corvus 
frugilegus tschusw, Coracias garrula semenowt, Falco aesalon insignts. 
On the other hand a few sub-species, apparently resident, are 
typically tropical Indian, such as Gallinula chleropus parvifrons. 

As many recent alterations in names have been made since 
Blanford’s time, owing to discoveries by ornithologists of earlier 
names having priority, etc., it has been thought advisable to add 
in brackets the number of the bird according to Oates and Blan- 
ford’s Avifauna. This will it is hoped facilitate recognition by 
those field workers who might otherwise be puzzled. 

The field-notes in brackets over the initials N. A. have been 
added by Dr. Annandale. 

[The birds of Seistan, as might be expected from the peculiar 
conformation of the country, are, with few noteworthy exceptions, 
either water-birds or desert-birds. As our work in Seistan was 
chiefly connected with water and occupied only a few weeks in the 
middle of winter, such observations as we made on bird-life were 
necessarily meagre and concerned only the birds of the Hamun-i- 
Helmand, for a brief account of which the Geographical Introduction 
to this volume may be consulted. Thirty-four of the seventy-nine 
races and species enumerated by Mr. Baker may be classed as 
water-birds. What struck us most in a general way about these 
birds was their enormous numbers and the apparent paucity of 
food for them, Nevertheless, both ducks and the wading-birds 


122 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor XVile 


were exceptionally fat. We watched large flocks of the Black- 
tailed Godwit and other species continually grubbing in the mud 
where we ourselves found no living thing. An examination of 
their stomach-contents proved that they were feeding on the seeds 
of water-plants, which were doubtless lying ready to sprout when 
the flood-season began. 

Water-birds, especially the Coot and the Gray Lag Goose (of 
which no specimens were preserved) play an important part in the 
economy of the Saiyad or Hunters, a peculiar almost outcaste 
tribe, who live on the shores of the Hamun in primitive reed-huts 
and navigate its reed-beds in skiff-like rafts (tution) of bulrush 
leaves. 

In winter the most abundant and conspicuous birds in Seistan 
peculiar neither to the desert nor to the lake is the Rook. Enor- 
mous flocks, so large that we frequently mistook them for clouds 
in the distance, fly about the country at this season and settle 
on the ground in open spaces, often among tamarisk bushes 
round small pools in the desert. What they get to eat is a mys- 
tery. We were told that these flocks arrived about October and 
were popularly believed to eat up the “‘Hamun fly,” a blood- 
sucking fly (2? Tabanus or Haematopota) that spreads surra among 
camels and horses. It is quite possible that the birds do devour 
these insects, but it is also probable that their arrival coincides 
with the close of the flies’ season of aerial life. N.A.] 


1, Corvus cornix sharpii Oates. (6). 


1905. Corvus cornix, Cumming, of. cit., p. 686. 


Oo. No. 24685; Rudbar, R. Helmand, Feb. 03. 
9. ,, 25492; Lab-i-Baring, ca. 1600 ft., 15.12.18. 


2. Corvus frugilegus tschusii Hartert. (5). 


1905. Corvus frugilegus, Cumming, op. cit., p. 686. 
9. No. 24707; Nad-i-Ali on the Helmand, 13.3.05. 


Or 178 2488 Er) Kulak 920. 2405¢ 
@. ,, 25469; Lab-i-Baring, ca. 1600 ft., 15.12.18. 
om th 2547016 * af Ej oL2.LOe 


Of these Rooks the first two specimens have nearly completed 
their facial moult but still have all the nareal bristles present ; 
No. 3 has the face quite bare whilst the fourth is a young bird 
with the face fully feathered. [See notes at end of introduction. 
N,A.] 


3. Argya caudata huttoni (Blyth). (105). 
1905. Argya caudata, Cumming, op. cit., p. 686. 
o. No. 24880; Kuhak, 26.4.05. 


This is a typical huttont in appearance but is a very small 
bird with a wing of only 83 mm. ‘The striae on the breast are 
almost obsolete. 


Ww 


1919. | BE. C. Stuart BAKER: Birds. 12 


4. Tichodroma muraria (Linn.). (348). 


1905. Tichodroma muraria, Cumming, op. cit., p. 686. 
3 »P 


2. No. 24877; Peshawaran, 20.12.06. 


5. Sylvia mystacea (Ménétr.). 
1905. Sylvia serdont, Cumming, op. cit., p. 687. 
@. No. 24883 ; Kuhak, 21.3.05. 


6. Agrobates galactodes familiaris (Ménétr.). (359) 
1905. Aedon familiaris, Cumming, op. cit., p. 686. 
9. No. 24875 ; Kuhak, 22.4.05. 


7. Prinia gracilis lepida, Blyth. (462). 
1905. Printa lepida, Cumming, op. cit., p. 087. 
oe eNorn24679 >, Kuliak 2.10.04: 


8. Lanius cristatus isabellinus, Ehrenb. (479). 
1905. Lantus phoenitcuroides, Cumming (in part), op. cit., p. 687. 


?. No. 24709 ; Kaod on the Asinki Canal, 28.3.03. 


g. Lanius cristatus phoenicuroides (Hemp. and Ehrenb.). (480). 
1905. Lantus phoenicuroides, Cumming (in part), op. cit., p. 087. 
@. No. 24878, Kuhak, 22.4.05. 
The former of these shrikes is presumably only a eer but 
the latter is resident and breeds, for General R. Betham took many 
of its eggs and nests when stationed at Quetta. 


10. Sturnus vulgaris poltaratskii, Finsch. (532). 


1905. Sturnus menzhiert, Cumming (in part), of. c7t. p. 687. 
905 In | P 


O. No. 24686; Hamun, Seistan, Jan. 04. 
O. ,, 25489; Lab-i-Baring, ca. 1600 ft., 12.12.18. 


11. Sturnus vulgaris nobilior, Hume. (533). 


1905. Sturnus menzbiert, Cumming (in part), op. cit., p. 687. 
a. No. 25472; Lab-i-Baring, ca. 1600 ft., 11.12.18. 


Hartert has recently written a long article on the races of 
Sturnus vulgaris (Novitates Zoologicae XXV, p. 327) but gives no key 
and in some cases does not even say how they can be discriminated. 
The deep colour of No. 25472, its almost black white-edged under 
wing-coverts and deep red wings satisfy me that this specimen 
must be referred to Hume’s nobilior. The other two birds are cer- 
tainly both poltaratskit with which menzbiert is now generally 
placed as a synonym. 


124 Records of the Indian Museum. (Vou, XVIII, 


[Both No. 25472 and No. 25489 were shot at the edge of the 
Hamun near Lab-i-Baring in December. Small flocks of starlings 
are not uncommon in the fields at this season, at which ploughing is 


just commencing in Seistan. N.A.] 


12. Oenanthe deserti atrogularis (Blyth). (626). 


Saxicola deserti, Cumming, op. cii., p. 688. 


1Q05- 
e. No. 24712; Khwaja Ahmed, 3.4.03. 
oe. 24868 ; Khwaja Ahmed, Jan. 05. 
O. 25481 ; Lab-i-Baring, 7.12.18. 
oe. 25485 ; Lab-i-Baring, 8.12.18. 
13. Oenanthe alboniger (Hume). (617). 
905. Saxicoia albinigra, Cumming, op. ctt., p. 687. 
@. No. 247:0; Kaod on the Asinki Canal, no date. 
2. ,, 25476; Lab-i-Baring, 7.12.18. 


[Very common with the last in the Seistan desert in 


December. WN. 4A.] 


14. Oenanthe picata (Blyth). (618). 
1905. Saxicola capistrata, Cumming, op. cit., p. 687. 
@. No. 24711 ; Kaod on the Asinki Canal, 26.3.03. 
This specimen belongs to the white-headed form which has 
generally been separated as Oenanthe capistrata. 
15. Oenanthe isabellina (Cretzschem). (625). 
1905. Saxicola tsabellina, Cumming, op. cit., p. 688. 


°. No. 24866 ; Kuhak, 31.3.04. 

@. ,, 24867; Kuhak, 3.4.04. 

16. Phoenicurus erythronotus (Eversm.). (642). 
oO. No. 25480; In garden at Nasratabad, 18.12.18. 


This bird although not sexed is obviously an adult female; the 
wing is rather small, only 72 mm. 


17. Monticola solitaria pandoo (Sykes). (693). 
@. No. 24713; Khwaja Ahmed, 7.4.03. 
This specimen is marked ‘‘ male” but is undoubtedly an old 
female. 
18. Passer montanus dilutus, Rechm. (779). 


1905. Passer montanus, Cumming, op. cit., p. 688. 


@. No. 24869; Kuhak, 20.4.05. 


1919.] E. C. Stuart BAKer: Birds. 12 


On 


19. Passer moabiticus yatii, Sharpe. 


9. No. 24714; Nad-i-Ali on the Helmand, 13-3.03. 


This specimen is not in adult plumage and has very little yel- 


low on the lower plumage but is almost certainly of this race of the 
Palestine Sparrow. 


20. Motacilla alba personata, Gould. (829). 


1905. Motacilla personata, Cumming, op. cit., p. 688. 
O. No. 24870; Kuhak, 28.4.05. 
@. ,, 25477; Lab-i-Baring, 13.12.18. 
Gs (23°25 482> = E3128: 
Of the three specimens the first is in full summer plumage, 


the two others in winter plumage. [Very common in the desert, 
and at the edge of the Hamun in December, N.A.] 


21. Alaemon alaudipes pallida (Blyth). (854). 


1905. Alaemon desertorum, Cumming, op. cit., p. 688. 
@. No. 24871; Kuhak, 21.9.04. 

Though marked ‘‘ male” this is probably a female and even 
for that sex is an unusually small one, wing 126, bill from front 
25 mm. ‘This is considerably below normal measurements which 
are (vide Hartert) #7, wing 138-141 mm., ? , 128-130 mm. Larger 
series of pallida, Blyth and desertorum (Stone) might possibly 


prove that they are divisible but at present most ornithologists 
lump them together. 


22. Galerida cristata? magna, Hume. (874). 


1905. Galerita cristata, Cumming, of. czt., p. 689. 
@. No. 24874; Kuhak, 20.4.05. 
O. ,, 25478; Lab-i-Baring, 13.12.18. 

These birds are very small both having a wing of 106 mm., 
whilst Hartert gives the minimum for this sub-species as Ilo mm; 
on the other hand he gives the maximum for chendoola, the common 
Indian form, as 105 mm. As a matter of fact throughout the 
intervening country between the Northern and Southern areas the 
birds are intermediate both in size and general appearance. 


23. Ammomanes deserti-iranica (Hartert). (878). 
1905. Ammomanes phoentcuroides, Cumming, op. cit., p. 63¢ 
@. No. 24873; Khwaja Ahmed, 24. 4. 05. 
‘Quite a typical specimen. 


126 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo,. XVIII, 


24. Ammomanes phoenicura zarudnyi, Hartert. 


O. No. 25484; Lab-i-Baring, 14.12.18. 

I have compared this specimen with others in the Tring Museum 
as I was rather doubtful of some of those in the British Museum 
where the forms of phoenicura have not yet been thoroughly worked 
out. 


25. Coracias garrula semenowi, Loudon and Tschusi (1024). 
1905. Corracias garrula, Cumming, op. cit., p. 689. 
O. No. 24684; Khwaja Ahmed, May 1903. 
a, 24861 ; s 24.4.05. 


+) 


26. Merops persicus persicus, Pall. (1028). 


1905. Merops persicus, Cumming, op. ctt., p. 68a. 


@. No. 24862; Kuhak, 22.4.05. 


27. Caprimulgus mahrattensis, Sykes. (10809). 


1905. Caprimulgus mahrattensis, Cumming, op. cit., p. 690. 
9. No. 24688; Helmand, no date. 
? " ” 2.4689 ; ” ” 


28. Bubo bubo bengalensis (Frank.). (1168). 


1905. Bubo bengalensis, Cumming, op. cit., p. 690. 
@. Juv. No. 24864 ; Shaharistan, 6.5.05. 

This appears to be bengalensis, which has already been obtained 
in Afghanistan. The wings measure respectively, right, 380 and 
left, 370 mm., whereas turcomanus (Eversm.) has a wing varying be- 
tween 425 and 500 mm. From the date on which killed, and also 
from its juvenile appearance, it is evidently a bird locally bred and it 
raises an interesting doubt as to the specific or sub-specific value of 
some of the differences hitherto held to be sub-specific only between 
some of the nearest allies of Bubo bubo. We cannot have two geo- 
graphical races breeding in the same area and if turcomanus and ben- 
galensts do breed in the same, then they are good species and not 
sub-species only. 


29. Athene noctua bactriana, Blyth. (1180). 


1905. Athene bactriana, Cumming, op. cit., p. 691. 
a. No. 24863; Kuhak, 21.10.04. 


30. Buteo ferox (Gmel.). (12309). 


O. No. 24722; “‘ Caught in Seistan,’’ Feb. 1904. 


An adult but beautifully pale bird in very fine plumage, ap- 
parently a male. 


1919. ] EH. C. Stuart BAKER: Birds. 127, 


31.‘ Circus macrurus (Gmel.). (1233). 


O. No. 24716; Band-i-Seistan, Feb. 03. 
O. ,, 24865; Shaharistan; no-date. 


Although these specimens have not been sexed the first is cer- 
tainly a » and the second almost equally certainly an adult female. 


32. Circus aeruginosus (Linn.). (1237). 


O. No. 24717; Takht-i-Shah, March 04. 
One ns 247 10)3 Nadalis March 03. 
On e247 20.44 no date. 
2. ,, 25494; Lab-i-Baring, 10.12.18. 


[The commonest bird of prey over the reed-beds of the 
Hamun. We saw one capture a small water-vole or shrew among 
the'reeds, .NV.A'3| 


33. Falco aesalon insignis (Clark). (1263). 
O. No. 24724; Takht-i-Shah, March o4. 
The wing measures I90 mm. 


34. Tinnunculus tinnunculus saturatus, Blyth. (1265). 


O. No. 24726; ? no date. 
The wing of this specimen measures 236 mm. 


35. Columba livia intermedia, Strick. (1292). 

1905. Columba intermedia, Cumming, op. cit., p. 691. 

@. No. 24850; Kuhak, 22.4.05. 
O. ,, 25463; Lab-i-Baring, no sex; December. 

Both these specimens are very typical va intermedia with 
the lower back quite grey, not white. These geographical races of 
Columba livia are generally very inconstant, partly due, no doubt, 
to crosses with domesticated birds but also due to the very wide 
range of individual variation which occurs. Major C. R. S. Pit- 
man informs me that even well North in Mesopotamia he found 
birds breeding together some of which were the true white rumped 
livia, whilst others were as dark as the darkest Indian intermedia. 


36. Columba eversmanni, Bonap. (1295). 
1905. Columba eversmannt, Cumming, op. cit., p. 691. 
O°, No. 24851; 2? 28.4,05. 
This is a resident Pigeon in Afghanistan and Persia. 


37. Streptopelia turtur decaorta, Friv. (1310). 
1905. Turtur risorius, Cumming, of. cit., p. 691. 


a, No. 24858; Khwaja Ahmed, 7.5.05. 


128 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


38. Pterocles arenarius caudacuta, Pall. (1316). 
1905. Pterocles arenarius, Cumming, op. cit., p. 691. 

oO. No. 25488 ; in desert S. of Lutak, 21.12.18. 
This specimen is not sexed but is a female adult. 


39. Francolinus francolinus henricii, Bonap. (1372). 
1905. Francolinus vulgaris, Cumming, op. cit., p. 692. 
Q. Juv. No. 24847; Kuhak, Augt. 04. 
Hartert in 1917 reviewed the races of Francolinus francolinus in 
Novitates Zoologicae and there points out that the small pale bird 


from Sind to Afghanistan must bear Bonapartes’ name henricit. 
The present specimen is very typical, a small, decidedly pale bird. 


4o. Coturnix coturnix (Linn.). (1355). 


1905. Coturnix communis, Cumming, op. czt., p. 692. 


@. No. 24848; Kuhak, 22.9.04. 


At. Zaponia parva parva, Bechst. (1392). 

1905. Porsana parva, Cumming, of. cit., p. 6093. 

2. No. 24859; Kuhak, 6.9.04. 

The wings are very imperfect, one moulting, and from the 
other several quills missing. They measure approximately 81 mm. 
In spite of its comparatively small size I have no doubt that it can 
be correctly assigned to this race. The colour generally is decidedly 
light and the bill is longer than in any specimen of pusilla in the 
British Museum Collection. 


42. Porzana porzana (Lin.). (1394). 
No. 24696; ? no date or sex. 


43. Gallinula chloropus parvifrons (Blyth). (1402). 


No. 24727; Band-i-Seistan, no date or sex. 


This specimen is somewhat intermediate between typical 
chloropus of Kurope and parvifrons of India, but is on the whole 
nearer the latter and should come under that name. 


44. Fulica atra atra, Linn. (1405). 
1905. Fulica atra, Cumming, op. cit., p. 693¢ 
2? .. No. 25468; Lab-i-Baring, 9.12.18. 
7. 5, 25471; ” Opiaeiuel, 
These two specimens, both fully adult, were obtained at Lab- 
i-Baring, Seistan, E. Persia, at an elevation of some 1600 feet. 
I cannot separate these in any way from typical aira. 


I919.] E.C. Stuart BAKER: Birds. 129 


[Coot live in enormous flocks among the reed-beds of the’ 
Hamun. Large numbers are caught for food in nets stretched across 
channels in the reed-beds into which the flocks are driven by men on 
tutin or rafts. The nets are stretched on sticks stuck into the mud, 
their lower edge being in the water and their upper edge about 2 feet 
above the surface. N.A.] 


45. Cursorius gallicus (Gmelin). (1423). 
1905. Cursorius gallicus, Cumming, op. cit., p. 694. 
No. 24681; Khwaja Ahmed, April 1903, not sexed. 
2.4082 ; 3 », 1903, ,, 
* 24683 ; Nadali, Helmand, March 1903, z 


”) 


+) 


46. Chettusia leucura (Licht.). (1438). 
1905. Chettusia leucura, Cumming, op. cit., p. 694. 
@. No. 24677; ? no date. 
@. ,, 24678; Shahgul on Rud-i-Pariun, 23.3.1903. 
9. ,, 24679; Nadali, Helmand, March 03. 
@. ,, 24849; Nasratabad, 6.5.05. 


The White-tailed Plover is an exceedingly common bird in 
suitable parts of Persia and has been found breeding in great num- 
bers during the Mesopotamian campaign, the nests being placed, 
as a rule, in small patches of raised land in the marshes. The eggs 
number three or four, most often the latter. 


47. Aegialitis dubia jerdoni, Legge. (1447). 

1905. Aegialitis dubia, Cumming, of. cit., p. 694. 

@. No. 24854; Kuhak, 1.4.04. 
@. 4, 24855; » 9.5.05. 

These specimens, which are both in full breeding plumage, be- 
long, as we should expect in birds obviously breeding, to the Indian 
race of Little Ringed Plover. The wings measure about IIo mm., 
the yellow base to the bill is very distinct, especially in one bird, 
and the black on the forehead is very narrow. (See Hartert and 
Jackson, Ibis 1915, pp. 531-3.) 


48. Himantopus himantopus (Linn.). (1451). 
1905. Himantopus candidus, Cumming, of. cit., p. 6y4. 

@. No. 24836; Kuhak, 3.9.04. 

Q. ,, 24837; Khwaja Ahmed, 24,4.05. 

@. ,, 24838; Kuhak, 3.3.04. 
Of the two females only the second is fully adult. 


49. Limosa limosa (Linn.). (1456). 
1905. Limosa belgica, Cumming, op. cit., p. 695. 
o@. No. 24852; Nasratabad, 6.5.05. 
o. .,,. 25491; Lab-i-Baring, 12.12.18: 


Ors Pe 25 AO2 > - E2:12.15. 


7 


130 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


The specimen killed in May is in an interesting stage of plum- 
age, the breast being partly red and the plumage above also in 
rather more than half summer plumage. The two birds killed in 
winter are, of course, in winter plumage. 

[Feeding in large flocks at the edge of the Hamun in December. 


NA] 
50. Totanus glareola (Linn.). (1461). 


1905. Totanus glareola, Cumming, op. cit., p. 695. 
O. No. 24730; ? no sex or date. 
@. ,, 24856; Khwaja Ahmed, 5.5.05. 
9.-,, 24857. Nasratabad, 7.5.05: 


51. Totanus totanus eurhinus, Oberholser. (1455). 
oO. No. 24731; Seistan, Jan. 04, no sex. 
O. 5B) 24732; ” 7-1.04. ” 
On bs, © 247335 sgt) 0 date orsex. 

The Eastern form breeding from the Himalayas to Eastern 
Siberia has been separated as a geographical race under the name 
of eurhinus by Oberholser (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. XXII, p. 208; 
1900) on the grounds of its greater size. He gives the average 
size for his new sub-species as follows: wing 163 mm., culmen 
46°6 mm., and tarsus 47°2 mm. 

The three specimens noted above have the wings 157-165 
mm., bills 43 to 45 mm., and tarsi 52 to 55 mm. They must all 
therefore be accredited to the Eastern rather than to the Western 
form. Specimens of both birds and eggs obtained in Tibet fully 
bear out Oberholser’s diagnosis of eurhinus. 


52. Machetes pugnax, Linn. (1468). 
o. No. 24734; Shaharistan, Seistan, 1.3.03, not sexed. 


The wing measures 167 mm., large for a female and small for 
a male, but probably the latter not yet adult. 


53. Tringa alpina alpina (Linn.). (1478). 
o@. No. 25474; Lab-i-Baring, 8.12.18. 


ALR 525475 s 7 SE2ES. 
OP.) 5 25470); uf BBN 6278 oe 
O.| 430125403) i 132.06. 


The wings of these four specimens vary from 108 to II5 mm. 
so that they must belong to the smaller Western sub-species rather 
than to the larger Eastern one. 


54. Grus grus (Linn.). (1407). 
oO. No. 24728; Khwaja Ali, Feb. 03. 


This specimen is that of a not quite adult bird with the crown 
of the head still fairly well covered with feathers as in the young 
bird. 


1919.] E. C. Stuart BAKER: Birds. 131 


55. Larus ichthyaetus, Pall. (1489). 
1905. Larus ichthyaétus, Cumming, op. cit., p. 695. 


O. No. 24691; Seistan, March 1904. 
In full breeding plumage. 


56. Larus ridibundus, Linn. (1490). 


o. No. 24736; Seistan, Jany. 1904. 
(). 25464; Lab-i-Baring, 11.12.18. 


+18) 


57. Larus gelastes, Licht. (1493). 
1905. Larus gelastes, Cumming, op. cit., p. 695. 
@. No. 24841; Kuhak, 26.4.05. 
Or 2 40588 ox 20:4.05. 


58. Larus argentatus cachinnans, Pall. (1495). 
oO. No. 24738; Landi Barech, Feb. 03. 


59. Hydroprogne caspia (Pall.). (1498). 
1905. Hydroprogne caspia, Cumming, of. cit., p. 696. 
9. No. 24842; Kuhak, 26.4.05. 


60. Sterna nilotica, Gmelin. (1499). 


1905. Sterna anglica,, Cumming, op. cit., p, 696. 
@. No. 24839; Kuhak, 22.4.05. 


61. Sterna hirundo (Neum.). (1506). 
1905. Sterna fluviatilis, Cumming of. cit., p. 696. 
9. No. 24860; Kuhak, 28.4.05. 
The wing of this bird measures 265 mm. 


62. Sterna minuta gouldi, Hume. (1510). 


1905. Sterna minuta, Cumming, op. cit., p. 696. 
9. No. 24843 ; Khwaja Ahmed, 5.5.05. 
@. ,, 24844; Nasaratabad, 7.5.05. 
PF . 8248455 v 6.5.05. 

The wings of the two males measure 163 and 175 mm. respec- 
tively and that of the female 170 mm. 

All these specimens appear to be the same as the Indian S. m. 
gould: rather than true S. m. minuta. ‘They are identical in shade 
of grey on the upper parts and in colour of outer primaries with 
specimens from N.W. India. 


63. Pelecanus onocrotalus onocrotalus, Linn. (1521). 


1905. Pelicanus onocrotalus, Cumming, op. cit., p. 696. 
@s No 24730); ? no sex or date: 


132 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


A very typical specimen of this species with a bill fully 17 
inches, or 435 mm., in length from forehead to tip of culmen. 


64. Phalacrocorax carbo subcormoranus (Brehm). (1526). 


1905. Phalacrocorax carbo, Cumming, op. cit., p. 696. 
oO. No. 24740; Seistan, Feb. 04. 

This is the form which Hartert has recently shewn (Novitates 
Zoologicae, XXIII, p. 294; I916) must bear Brehm’s name of 
subcormoranus. 

[Cormorants are captured or shot in large numbers by the 
Saiyad. ‘The down from the breasts is sometimes mixed with the 


soft wool out of which the felt hats worn by Persians are made. 
N.A.] 


65. Ardea cinera, Linn. (1555). 
1905. Ardea cinerea, Cumming, op. cit., p. 666. 
o. No. 24741; Khwaja Ali, Feb. 03; no sex. 
©. ,, 24882 ;°Farrah Rud) Dec.704" 
These are both adult birds. 


66. Botaurus stellaris, Linn. (1574). 


1905. Botaurus stellaris, Cumming, op. ctt., p. 696. 
©. No. 24846; Fartah Rud, ;Dec. 04.; No sex. 
On 24744008 Decors No sex: 


These are both adult birds with wings of 335 and 342 mm. 
respectively, but otherwise call for no remark. 


67. Ixobrychus minutus (Linn.). (1570). 
1905. Ardetta minuta, Cumming, of. cit., p. 696. 
o. No. 24687; Khwaja Ali, Seistan, April 03. 
An adult bird and evidently a male though it has not been 
sexed. The generic name [xobrychus, Billberg of 1828 antedates 
that of Ardetta, Gray of 1842, which must therefore be discarded. 


68. Phoenicopterus minor, Geoff. (1575). 
1905. Phoenicopterus minor, Cumming, op. cit., p. 697. 
o. No. 24840; Kuhak, June I904. 
A young bird, but exceptionally large with a wing of 13-6 
inches (345 mm). 


69. Cygnus cygnus (Linn.). (1578a). 
1905. Cygnus musicus, Cumming, op. cit., p. 697. 
o. No. 24884; Hamun-iSabous, Seistan, Dec. 04. 
This is a very large specimen with a wing of 602 mm. (23°75 
inches) ; bill r1z mm. (4°4 inches). Although not sexed it is un- 
doubtedly a male. 


1919. | H.C. Stuart BAKER: Birds. 133 


70. Tadorna tadorna (Linn.). (1587). 


1905. Tadorna cornuta, Cumming, of. cit., p. 697. 


@. No. 25466; Lab-i-Baring, 14.12.18. 


oe 5, 24818; Seistan, 3.10.04. 
@. ,, 24819; Kuhak, Sept, 04. 
@. 4, 24820: Seistan, 3:10:04. 


Juv. ,, 24821; Kuhak, Aug. 04. 
iy 9p 24822 ; Seistan, no date: 

The first bird isan adult in full plumage, the next three are 
ducklings of about a month old, or rather less, and the last two 


are still younger. 


7I. Querquedula crecca (Linn.). (1597). 


1905. Nettiuwm crecca, Cumming, op. cit., p. 697. 
@. No. 24830; Kuhak, 3.10.14. 
@. .,, 25473 ; Labia-Bariies 1 r9e06, 
Wa. 2AQO': a SoTL 228: 

Of these three birds the first is in eclipse plumage, the second 
in full breeding plumage, whilst the third appears to be a female 
and nota male. [One of the commonest ducks among the reed- 
beds of the Hamun. JN. 4.] 


72. Dafila acuta acuta (Linn.). (1600), 
1905. Dafila acuta, Cumming, op. cit., p. 698. 
@. No. 25487; Lab-i-Baring, 8.12.18. 


In full, but not very bright, breeding plumage. [Another very 
common species in the reed-beds. JN. A.] 


73. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). (1602). 
1905. Spatula clypeata, Cumming, of. cit., p. 608. 
@”. 24832; Hamun-i-Sabari, 29.12.04. 
This drake is still in eclipse plumage. 


74. Marmaronetta angustirostris (Ménétr.). (1603). 


1905. Marmaronetta angustirostris, Cumming, of. ctt., p. 698. 


©: No: 24823; Kuhak, juv:, 6.7.04. 
O- 248240: Fs . 6.7.04. 
Ges) 2AG25 ; pempadult. 22.4,05: 
OF. §3/\248260. Poi. 0.7048 


O. ,, 24827; ,, » 6.7.04. 

Apparently the four ducklings, though all young birds recently 
hatched when obtained, are in two stages of growth, the first two 
being some days older than the other two. This little duck breeds 
freely from as far South as the Mackran coast and Sind throughout 
South, Central and Eastern Persia wherever the country is suitable, 


134 Records of the Indian Museum, [Vou XVIII, 1919.) 


The two youngest birds of those above enumerated have the wing 
quills only just beginning to sprout. 


75. Netta rufina (Pall.). (1604). 
1905. Netta rufina, Cumming, op. cit., p. 608. 
9. No. 24833; Farrah Rud, Dec. 04. 


76. Nyroca ferina (Linn.). (1605). 
1905. Nyroca ferina, Cumming, op. cit., p. 698. 


7, No. 25465; Lab-i-Baring, 10.12.18. 
chee pe Asy: Oper - LO:L2U6, 


77, Glaucionetta clangula, Linn. (1610), 
1905. Clangula glaucton, Cumming, op. cit., p. 699. 
o. No. 24829; Hamun, Seistan, Dec. 04. 
In full breeding plumage. 
Stejneger has shown that we cannot use the generic name 


Glaucion for the Golden-eye and has substituted Glauctonetta in its 
place (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. VIII, p. 409; 1885). 


78. Podiceps cristatus (Ijinn.). (1615). 
1905. Podiceps cristatus, Cumming, op. cit., p. 699. 
9. No. 24692; ? no date, adult. 


9." |, 24604; 2 no'date;quv. 
2. ,, 246935 ° no date, adult: 


79. Podiceps fluviatilis albipennis (Sharpe). (1617). 
1905. Podiceps albipennis, Cumming, of. cit., p. 699. 


o. No. 24835; Seistan, juv., no date. 
@. ,, 25486; Lab-i-Baring, 11.12.18., adult. 


[Very common among the reed-beds of the Hamun. N.A4.] 


NOARE ON TEE OCCURRENCE Of LHe 
TCH LM NA gens NAOT AEC AT Ni, 
SEISTAN AND Pen G oy AN 
BALUCH DESERT. 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Directoy, and AMIN-UD-DIN, 
M.Sc., Research Assistant, Z oological Survey of India. 


Makki in Western Baluchistan, close to the Afghan border. When 
asked why he did this, the man said that he was afraid of leeches. 
No leech was seen in this spring, but many were observed at Robat 
close to the point at which the Afghan, Baluch and Persian frontiers 
meet, and also at Hurmuk across the last. Specimens were not 


captured at N awarchah, a place some distance north of Hurmuk 
and well within the district of Seistan, on the tongue of a horse. 
The specimen js small, being only 2°5 cm. long and ‘5 em. 
broad as preserved in 90% alcohol, but it agrees in all essentials 
with small specimens of L. nilotica (Savigny) from Palestine. It 
belongs to the colour-form in which the dark markings are obscure 
or obsolete. The posterior sucker is of a characteristic size, the 


1 Boll. Mus. Zool. Torino IX, No. 189, p. 43 (1894). 

* Parasitology I, Pp. 282 (1908). 

° Fudges VIT, 6, Frazer in his Folk-lore in the Old Testament adopts a 
ritualistic explanation. 


136 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo1. XVIII, 1920.] 


diameter being about 5 mm. and that of the anterior sucker only 
2mm. 

L. nilotica is easily distinguished from the common Indian 
species, Limnatis (Poecilobdella) granulosa (Savigny), by the ab- 
sence of the colour-pattern characteristic! of the sub-genus Poeci- 
lobdella and by its smaller size. 


1 See Blanchard in Weber's Zool. Ergeb. Niederland. Ost.-Ind. 1V, p. 346, 
figs3. 


OD 


MOTES-.ON SOME) a5 Pe TiC: SPE CEES: OF 
PALINGENIA (ORDER EPHEMEROPTERA). 


By F. H. Gravey, D.Sc., Asst. Superintendent, Zoological Survey 
of India (now Superintendent, Government Museum, Madras). 


(With Plates XVIII—XX.) 


The Ephemerid genus Palingenia has attracted the attention 
of many naturalists on account of the way in which immense 
swarms of adults hatch and die annually during the evenings of a 
few consecutive days only.! 

The larvae are fossorial. They have six pairs of double gill- 
plumes arched upwards over the back and protected by five 
pairs of lamellae which are covered on the outer side by long hairs. 
According to Swammerdam (1758, p. 109), these lamellae are “ oars 
that serve the creature for swimming.” Male larvae may be 
distinguished from females by their larger eyes and, in the later 
stages, by their longer caudal appendages and developing forceps. 

The genus has been provisionally divided by Eaton (1883, 
p. 23) into three subgenera as follows:—‘‘ Palingenia (typical), 
Burmeister, containing European and Western Asiatic species; 
Anagenesia containing Indo-Malay and a Siberian species; anda 
nameless subgenus containing Brazilian species,’ concerning the 
adults of which scarcely anything appears to be known.” 

Eaton’s system of reference to the venation of the wings ® has 
been adopted throughout the following notes in order to facilitate 
comparison with his monograph. In the figures this system is 
supplemented by that used in Comstock’s book ‘‘ The Wings of 
Insects ’’ (New York, 1918). 


Subgenus Palingenia, Burmeister, s. stv. 


Adult with the fore-tarsus of the male about 2} times as long 
as the femur ; the praebrachial nervure (6) of the forewing forked 
beyond the middle; two conspicuous couples of longitudinal 
nervures (midway between 4 and 5, and 5-6) proceeding to the 
terminal margin of the fore-wing (pl. xx, fig. 21); the forceps with 
a long slender basal joint grooved on the inner side and (? always) 
at least five shorter terminal ones (pl. xx, figs. 22-3). 


| For references see Eaton, 1883, pp. 24-28; also Swammerdam, 1758, p- 104, 
concerning references by more ancient writers. 

2 The larva is figured by Eaton, 1883, pl. xxv, figs. 20-24. 

® Eaton, 1883, p. 4. 


138 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Larva with the dorsal margin of the fore-tibia ( ? always) 
strongly toothed (pl. xviii, fig. 4). 


Palingenia (s. stv.) ? longicauda, Olivier.! 
Palingenta sp. (? robusta), Needham, 1909, p. 191, pl. xx, fig. 8.2 


Adult (pl. xx, figs. 21-23).—Nine pinned specimens from Seis- 
tan, all in bad condition. One of these was erroneously referred 
by Needham to the subgenus Anagenesia, to which P. robusta, 
Eaton, belongs, with the remark :—“ The species will be recognized 
by the male forceps....which is different from the forceps of any 
species that has been figured hitherto.” His figure (1909, pl. xx, 
fig. 8) differs from Eaton’s figure (see 1883-8, pl. i. Ia o) of 
the male genitalia of P.longicauda in having five instead of 
six terminal joints to the forceps. But Cornelius (1848, pp. 
28-29) states that P.longicauda has only three such joints and 
shows only three in his figure (1848, fig. 4K), though the terminal 
one could be almost better interpreted as two joints than as one 
but for the accompanying statement, and might even be com- 
posed of three. The probability, it seems to me, is therefore 
that normally the forceps of P. longicauda consists of at least 
five terminal joints and one long basalone. Inthe specimens now 
under consideration most of the forceps are broken. In one the 
terminal joints appear to be six in number, the last being very 
small and imperfectly separated, in another they appear to be seven, 
the terminal one again being very small. Unfortunately no 
European specimens are available for comparison. The colour of 
the Seistan specimens appears to be duller and more uniform than 
in European specimens, but this may be due to their poor state of 
preservation. 

The species probably occurs also in Mesopotamia, as Major 
Connor writes that he ‘‘saw millions of the large Mayflies on the 
Euphrates at about the beginning of April. They were being 
eaten up by the ordinary Caspian river tortoise as they lay in 
heaps in eddies and slack water. They swarm in the river even 
as far down as Basra.” 

Larva (pl. xviii, figs. 1-4).—Six males and eight females, none 
full-grown (length, excluding mandibles and caudal appendages, 
21-25 mm.), from thick mud of pools in the bed of the Randa 
stream (otherwise dry) four miles northwest of Jellalabad, Seistan. 
Dis. G ti oe 

Dr. Annandale has supplied the following note on the finding 
of these larvae :— 


1 For P. longicauda, see Eaton, 1883, p. 24, pl. i, fig. 1@ ; and Cornelius, 
1848, pp. 22-20, figs. 4-4K. 

? The nymphs referred by Needham (doc. cit.) to this genus belong, in all 
probability, to the genus Ephemera. (See Vayssiére, 1882, pp. 38-42, pl. i, 
figs. 3-7; Eaton, 1883-8, pp. 58-59, pl. xxx, figs, I-19; and Klapalek, 1909, 
pp-29-30). They are very different from those o Palingenta. 


1920. | F. H. GrRAvELy: Asiatic Palingenta. 139 


‘“ The larvae of Palingenia were collected about the end of 
November at the edge of small pools of very foul water left by the 
retreat of the annual floods in the bed of the Randa stream near the 
ruined city of Jellalabad, some twelve miles north of Nasratabad, 
the capital of Seistan. This stream is filled with water only in 
flood-time. For some considerable distance south the country 
consists of a flat barren plain the surface of which in winter is formed 
of bare and extremely hard grey clay. It isin fact one of those 
shallow basins, so common in Seistan, which are flooded every 
normal year by the rise of the Helmand. ‘Towards the edge of 
this basin we noticed that the whole ground was pitted with 
little holes as though a rather narrow pen-holder had been re- 
peatedly thrust into it. We were unable to account for this 
phenomenon until we examined the edge of the pools, where each 
hole was occupied by a Palingenia larvae. The mud was here 
fairly soft but was caking rapidly and the larvae, the gills of 
which were pressed tightly against the sides of their abdomens, 
were, though still living, apparently being gradually asphyxiated. 
The foulness of the water was due partly to the presence of large 
numbers of dead fish and partly to the fact that the several tribes 
of the district watered their flocks of sheep and goats at the pools. 
Doubtless the Mayflies of the same genus collected in large 
numbers in Seistan by the officers of Sir Henry MacMahon’s Com- 
mission were captured in spring or summer.” 

The identity of Dr. Annandale’s larvae with these adults from 
Seistan is extremely probable, but has not been definitely proved. 
The larvae appear to be identical with those of P. /ongicauda des- 
cribed by Swammerdam (1758) and Cornelius (1848). The caudal 
appendages are not very well preserved ; they seem to be of 
almost equal length in both sexes, but this is probably due to their 
not being fully developed. ‘These larvae differ from all other Palin- 
genta larvae yet known in having the dorsal (outer) margin of both 
the mandibles and fore-tibiae very strongly toothed. 

I have not been able to distinguish the second spine figured by 
Cornelius on the blade of the maxilla; but this may be a variable 
character (see below, p. 142). The labial palps bear hairs and spines 
like those of P. robusta. 

The front legs closely resemble those of P. robusta. The 
group of spines on the inner side of the lower distal angle of the 
tibia is, however, composed entirely of simple spines somewhat 
longer and slenderer than the very stout simple spines of the outer 
half of the group in that species. The serrate spines on the tarsus, 
on the contrary , are somewhat coarser ; they are also more numerous. 
The middle legs differ from those of P. vobusta chiefly in the pre- 
sence of a large conical tooth on the dorsal surface of the distal 
end of the tibia. The hind legs differ chiefly in having the outer 
distal angle of the tibia less produced. In both middle and hind 
legs the spines on this angle resemble those found in the same 
position on the front legs; they are much thinner than in 
P. robusta, 


140 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVITI, 


The gills and their protective lamellae have been somewhat 
crushed together, but appear to resemble those of P. robusta. 


Subgenus Anagenesia, Eaton. 


Adult with the fore-tarsus of the male shorter than the 
femur; the praebrachial nervure (6) of the fore-wing forked 
before the middle ; three conspicuous couples of longitudinal ner- 
vures (midway between 4 and 5, 5-6, and midway between 6 and 7) 
proceeding to the terminal margin of the fore-wing (pl. xx, fig. 24) ; 
the forceps with a long flattened basal joint and two shorter termi- 
nal ones, the latter sometimes with a small and imperfect third joint 
between them (pl. xx, figs. 17-20 and 25). 

Larva with the dorsal margin of the fore-tibia ( ? always) 
without conspicuous teeth (pl. xviii, fig. 8). 


Palingenia (Anagenesia) lata, Walker. 


Adult (pl. xx, fig. 17).—The Indian Museum collection con- 
tains pinned males from Sibsagar. See Eaton, 1892, p. 407. 


Palingenia (Anagenesia) picta, n. sp. 


Adult (pl. xx, figs. 24-25).—Two pinned males each about 22 
mm. long, from Kapit, Sarawak, 24.vil.10. This species differs 
from P. lata in its slightly larger size and in having the terminal 
joint of the forceps distinctly smaller than the penultimate. The 
most striking difference, however, is in colour, P. /ata being of an 
almost uniformly dull brown colour, whereas in P. picta the general 
colouration is bright reddish or yellowish brown, while the head 
is more or less black between the eyes, except for a strongly 
marked median brown line on the vertex; the mesonotum is 
almost equally dark; the wings are whitish with yellowish veins, 
the anterior pair having infuscate margins, especially in front and 
at the tips; the dorsal plates of the abdomen are somewhat. dark, 
except for a narrow posterior border. ‘The relatively pale prono- 
tum stands out in marked contrast to the dark head and mesono- 
tum. 


Palingenia (Anagenesia) robusta, Eaton. 


Palingenia robusta, Eaton, 1892, pp. 407-408. 


Adult (pl. xx, figs. 19-20).—The imperfect type male from 
Cachar, two dry and six spirit males and three spirit females from 
the Dikko River, Nazira, Assam. ‘The Dikko specimens were sent 
by Mrs. Maxwell, with the following information. They emerge 
annually at about the end of October, and for three or four days 
float down the river in countless millions. The natives say 
that they also appear on other rivers, such as the Desoi, Desang 
and Dihing, and that they come out at and under the edge of the 
water in the shallows after the rivers have left the hills and where 
they run through silt only ; but Mrs. Maxwell says that so far as 


1920. | F. H. GRAvELY: Asiatic Palingenta. I4Ir 


she knows they do not occur on rivers actually rising in flat dis- 
tricts. The natives believe that until they have appeared there is 
always a chance of further floods and that consequently it is no use 
building the temporary bamboo bridges which they put up every 
cold weather until these ‘‘ pani-pooka’’ (water insects) have 
gone. The caudal appendages of the males were 3 inches long and 
semi-transparent when fresh. The insects are so light and hollow 
that they cannot be kept under water; when just out they are 
white or creamy and look like foam when blown together by the 
wind. All the specimens collected as adults were males; the 
females were caught as nymphs and hatched in captivity. 

This species is of about the same size as the last, but lacks its 
rich warm colour. The general colour of the male is whitish, with the 
upper surface of the head, mesothorax and posterior end of abdo- 
men tinged with dull brown ‘The margins of the fore-wings are 
natrowly tinged with the same colour. The second joint of the 
foretarsus is more distinctly longer than the first and third than in 
either of the two preceding species. The forceps seems normally 
to consist of the one long basal and two terminal joints character- 
istic of the subgenus ; but the second of the latter joints, which is 
fully as long as or even a little longer than the first, is often divided 
quite definitely into two near the base, at least on the outer side. 

The legs and caudal appendages of the female are smaller and 
feebler than those of the male, especially the caudal appendages, 
and the dorsal surface of the body is much darker in colour, being 
of a dull brown tint. ‘The wings are whitish as in the male. 

Larva (pl. xviii, figs. 5-8, pl xix, figs 9-16).—One male and 
two female cast skins, found floating in the surface water of the 
Dikko River, Nazira, Assam when adults were emerging, Oct. 
26-30, 1918; three males and one female insect from the same 
locality, Oct. 1919.! 

The total length (excluding the mandibles but including the 
caudal appendages) is 45-47 mm. in both sexes. The caudal 
appendages are 13 mm. long in the male and only g in the female, 
the body being therefore 4 mm. longer in the female than in the 
male. 

The teeth on the anterior margin of the head are somewhat 
more scattered than in P. longicauda. 

The mandibles (pl. xviii, fig. 7) are very hairy, long and slen- 
der and are upturned distally ; they have a number of small teeth, 
much smaller than those of P. /ongicauda, scattered along the basal 
2 of the upper margin. ‘They are intermediate in form between 
those of Palingenia (s. str.) longicauda (see Cornelius, 1848, fig. 3B) 
and those of Ephemera vulgata (see Eaton, 1883-8, pl. xxx, figs. 7-8). 
They are very different from the mandibles of the Palingenta 
(Anagenesia) larva from Ceylon’ figured by Eaton ees 8, pl. XXV_ 


Eire aeeeaons: is Seitea from the cast skins, as the larvae were not received 


till it had been completed. 
2 No adult from Ceylon was known to Eaton, Banks (1914, pp. 612-613), 
has since described Palingenta | Anagenesia) greeni trom there. 


142 Records of the Indian Museum. PViOn Xe VEEL. 


figs. 8-9), which are much shorter and stouter, are distally some- 
what wedge-shaped and irregularly dentate instead of slender and 
pointed, and appear to be without the two small laminar teeth 
found below the molar tooth in the present species and in P. longi- 
cauda and E. vulgata. ‘here is little or no difference between the 
teeth on the right and left mandibles. 

The maxillae (pl. xix, fig. 9) and labium closely resemble those 
of Eaton’s Ceylonese larva but are less pointed, especially the 
maxillary palps. The blade of the maxilla bears two spines dis- 
tally as in Cornelius’s figure of P. longicauda, but the lower one 
is more transparent than the terminal one, and is sometimes very 
hard to distinguish and possibly absent. 

The labial palps (pl. xix, fig. 10) bear a number of transparent 
stout curved spines at the distal extremity and a tuft of spines on 
a tubercle at the base of the penultimate segment. 

The front legs (pl. xviii-xix, figs. 8 and 11) are clothed with 
hairs and spines arranged in very definite series. ‘The transverse 
line of hairs at the base of the femur and the two transverse lines 
at the base of the tibia are finely pectinate (pl. xix, fig. 14). The 
lateral filaments on these hairs are extremely minute, but probably 
form two series more nearly at right angles to each other thanin one 
plane. The ventral aspect of the outer distal angle of the tibia bears 
a group of strong spines of which the outermost half are somewhat 
less stout than the innermost, and are coarsely biserrate Owing, 
however, to the angle which the two rows of serrations bear to one 
another not more than one of them can be clearly seen from any 
one point of view (pl. xix, fig. 12). The tarsus bears a number of 
more slender biserrate spines below its outer margin. Their serra- 
tions are more nearly in one plane (pl. xix, fig. 13). The remaining 
hairs and spines are simple. 

On the last two pairs of legs the lines of pectinate hairs are absent, 
and there are no serrate spines, simple spines and hairs being more 
extensively distributed in place of them. The spines are strongest and 
most numerous on the third pair of legs. Except for a group of 
very stout curved spines of moderate length on the ventral aspect 
of the outer distal angle of the tibia, the spines are confined to the 
dorsal surface (pl. xix, figs. 15-16). 

The first abdominal segment bears a pair of gills but no protec- 
tive lamella. The five following segments bear both gills and 
lamellae. The three remaining segments are without appendages. 
The first two of these bear spines and hairs laterally. The last 
has hairs distributed over almost the whole of its dorsal surface; 
these hairs are thick behind, but there are no spines at all com- 
parable in strength with those on the two preceding segments. 

Each gill consists of two plumes, one situated behind and to 
the inner side of the other. The former is of about equal size on 
all segments, and being directed backwards it conceals the latter, 
which is considerably smaller—more so in the anterior than in the 
posterior segments. 

All five protective lamellae are of about equal size. Each 


1920. | F. H. GRAVELY: A static Palingenia. 143 


consists of a finger-like process of the body-wall, bare on the inner 
side but fringed and entirely covered on the outer side with very 
long hairs. 


Palingenia (Anagenesia) minor, Eaton. 
Palingenia minor, Eaton, 1882, p. 408. 


Adult (pl. xx, fig. 18).—Two specimens labelled ‘‘ Karachi 
Museum ”’ and one from Nattor, whichis in the Rajshahi Division 
of Bengal, were described by Eaton from the Indian Museum col- 
lection. A specimen from Sara Ghat in Bengal, and one from 
Pakokku in the oil-fields of Upper Burma, have since been added. 
The species would seem, therefore, to be very widely distributed 
over the Indian Empire. 


LIST OF PAPERS QUOTED. 


1758. Swammerdam, J. ‘‘ The Book of Nature, or the History 
of Insects,’’ translated from the Dutch and Latin original 
edition by Thomas Flloyd (Ephemera = Palingenta longt- 
cauda), part i, pp. 103-119, pl. xill-xv. 

1848. Cornelius, C. ‘‘ Beitrége zur nahern Kenntniss der Palin- 
genia longicauda, Olivier,’’ 38 pp., 3 pl., Elberfeld, 1848. 

1882. Vayssiere, A. ‘‘ Recherches sur l’Organisation des Larves 
des Ephémérines.”” Ann. Set. Nat., Zool. (6) XIII, 1882, 
pp. 1-137, pl. i-xi. 

1883-8. Eaton, A.E. “A Revisional Monograph of Recent Ephe- 
meridae or Mayflies.” Trans. Linn. Soc. London (2, Zool.) 
III, 1883-8, 352 pp., 65 pl. 

1892. Eaton, A. E. ‘‘ Notes on some Native Ephemeridae inthe 
Indian Museum, Calcutta.” Journ. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, 
LX (II), 1891 (1892), pp. 406-413. 

1909. Klapalek, F. ‘‘ Ephemerida, Plecoptera [Lepidoptera’”’ by 
K. Grtinberg] in Susswasserfauna Deutschlands, Jena, 
1909, 163 pp., 260 text-figs. 

1909. Needham, J. G. ‘‘ Notes on the Neuroptera in the Collec- 
tion of the Indian Museum.” Rec. Ind. Mus. III, 1909, 
pp. 185-210, pl. xix-xx1. 

1914. Banks, N. ‘‘ New Neuropteroid Insects, Native and Exo- 
tic.” Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, UXVI, 1914, 
pp. 608-633, pl. xxviii. 


EXPLANATION ‘OF, PLATE, Vili: 


Palingenia larva from Seistan. 


Fic. 1.—Head of male. 

2.—Head of female. 

3.—Right mandible. 

4.—Leit front tibia and tarsus from above. 


33 


Palingenta robusta, larva. 


5.—Caudal appendages of female. 

6.—Cast skin of male. 

7.—Right mandible. 

8.—Left front tibia and tarsus from above. 


REC. IND, MUS. VOL. XVIII 1920. Plate XVIII. 


f \ 
{] Ny 
| \ 
} \ 
{] \ 
f \ 
{] \) 
() () 
\ 

\Y Ay, 
,\N ) e) 
\ a' LJ 
WN q 

OQ) 


D. Bagchi del. 


PALINGENIA LARVAE 


_ ' 
1 

‘ 

¢ 

1¢ 
e 
& ; 
aa) 
. 
~ 
" 


ears 4) 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIX. 


Palingenia robusta, larva. 


Fic. 9.—Right maxilla from below. 

10.—Right labial palp from below. 

11.—Left fore leg from below. 

12. 

», 13. ¢Spines and hairs from fore leg. 

eee 

15.—Left middle tibia and tarsus from above. 
16.—Left hind tibia and tarsus from above. 


REG. IND. MUS., VOL, XVIII 1920. Sas 


beter 
| (Ae 


wily 


Mi MA 
i Hi 
HY \\} U/) 


3 


18. 


AN 
) 
YY 


\ 


\\ 

SS 
SN 

~ 
S 


Z 

Vil y lA 

y G 
SS iH I, Yj 
eS 


oe 
ZZ, 


YS 
SS 
SS 


— 


\ 

\\ 
MRA 
“\ SS AY 


14, 


D. Bagchi del. PALINGENIA LARVAE, 


Mai rb aad coe - 


apt oe 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE XX. 


Fic. 17.—Palingenia lata, terminal joints of forceps of male. 


,, 18.—Pahingenia minor ,, 5 fe 
5, 19.—Palingenia robusta ,, - a 
,, 20.—Palingenta robusta ,, =H 3 


21.—Palingenia from Seistan, right fore wing.! 
22.—Palingenia 5 , forceps of male. 


23.—Palingenia ae , terminal joints of forceps of 
male. 

24.—Palingenia picta, male from above.' 

» 25.—Palingenia picta, terminal joints of forceps of male. 


1 The numbers at the ends of the veins are the symbols used by Eaton in his 
monograph. The letters are those used by Comstock in his book on ‘‘ The Wings 
of Insects’’ (see above p. 137). 


REC, IND.,MUS., VOL. XVIII 1920. Plate XX. 


Tee 
aoe eases == 


es 5 


ART 
ea weny AW, pee 


ANS 
BP ORI UL) 
g Uys RK 


Us 


78. 


s = 23 
i 
fo x f | j fj 
Y reg di [es 
; ? } RO : ill = 
Se ~ Se : il ib Pee 
Ei, VE Zi - be ee 
AK f i \\ 


PALINGENIA. 


D. Bagchi del 


a el dat h pee ee a 
0 Set Pe ree a i 4 WP falta Wi ULL ok Mill Melia eal 


mist OF EN TOMOST RA CA COM DE CLE Do EN 
SEES TAN AND “THe BAY CH Ser SB Ri 


By RoBERT GuRNEY, M.A., F.Z.S. 


[The few Entomostraca mentioned in Mr. Gurney’s list are the only fresh- 
water Crustacea we saw in Seistan except the crab Potamon (Potamon) Pota- 
mios gedvostanum, Alcock, and certain small Ostracods abundant in springs in 
the desert. Owing to some accident no specimens of the latter were collected. 
The crab was found in considerable numbers buried in the mud at the bottom 
of pools of foul water in the bed of the Randa stream near Jellalabad. No 
trace of it was, however, observed in the Hamun-i-Helmand. Mr. S. W. Kemp 
has compared a series of specimens from Seistan and from Quetta, where it 
was seen in an active condition in winter, and can find no local difference. Inthe 
hill-country of Baluchistan, which is not represented in the collection examined 
by Mr. Gurney, at least two species of Amphipods are common in, springs.— 
N. Annandale. | 


(1) NASRATABAD, SEISTAN. Pools on Parade ground. 
27-xi-18. 

These pools were pits from which clay had been dug for bricks. 
There was a luxuriant growth of Zannichellia, but the water was 
very foul, being visited by large numbers of donkeys and camels. 

Daphnia magna Straus. Abundant. 

Simocephalus vetulus O.F.M. Abundant. 

Cyclops strenuus Fischer-Sars. 

me leuckartt Claus. 

Eucypris clavata Baird. Common. 

Ilyocypris bradyi Sars. 

Potamocypris villosa Jur.. Common. 


(2) NASRATABAD, SEISTAN. Irrigation channel. Ig-xii-18. 

Leptestheria tenuis Sars. A single male specimen. . 

I do not feel at liberty to dissect this specimen, but it agrees 
so closely in external appearance with L. tenuis that I have no 
hesitation in so naming it. 

(3) LAB-I-BARING, SEISTAN. Channelsin reed-beds in Hamun. 
Io-xti-18. 

The collection was made in small pools about 8 feet deep, 
blocked with Potamogeton pectinatus. 

Daphnia longispina var. rosea Sats. Rare. 

Certodaphnia puichella Sars. Common. Ephippial females seen. 

aa reticulata Jur. A few. 

Simocephalus vetulus O.F.M. 

Bosmina longirostris O.F.M. Two seen. 

Cyclops viridis Jur. One female only. 

Herpetocypris reptans Baird. One only. 

Free ephippia of Daphnia magna. 


146 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo.. XVIII, 1920.| 


(4) YAKMATCH, W. BALUCHISTAN. 13-x1-18. 

Yakmatch is a station on the Baluchistan-Persia Railway in 
the middle of the desert. The specimens are from a small artifi- 
cial pool lined with cement into which water is pumped from a 
spring. The only vegetation was a spongy grey alga. 

The bottle contained a number of shells of Ostracods, but no 
complete animals. The shells of Cyprinotus incongruens Ramd. 
and of Ilyocypris bradyi Sars were identified. 


(5) ZANGI NAWAR, 20 MILES FROM NUSHKI, BALUCHISTAN. 
29-xi-18. 

From small lakes of practically fresh water into which the 
Peshin-Lora river drains in the Baluchistan desert The pools 
were full of submerged weeds. 

Diaphanosoma brachyurum Liévin. Common. Males and 
females with resting eggs present. 

Simocephalus exspinosus Koch. Abundant. 

Certodaphnia reticulata Jur. Common. 

Diaptomus salinus Daday. Common. 

Eurycypris pubera O.F.M. Young only. 

Cypridopsts dentatomarginatus Daday ? One specimen only. 

Limnicythere inopinata Baird ? One young specimen. 

Potamocypris villosa Jur. Shells only. 

Ephippia of Daphnia magna found. 


ee Se ee ES 


ROE ORT? ON -<f Et Boe P_R OE SO EEW ALE EaR= GAS R OF 
POD MOLLUSCS 7OF WOW R 
MESOPOTAMIA. 


PAR? II.—THE FAmtity PLANORBIDAE. 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Director, Zoological Survey of 
India. 


I have examined shells of four species of this family from 
Lower Mesopotamia, three belonging to the genus Gyvaulus, one to 
Bullinus. As all but one of these have recently been discussed in 
these “‘ Records’”’ and as the one species not hitherto considered 
is represented in the collections before me merely by empty shells, 
there is not much that can be profitably said here. I think, how- 
ever, that it will now be convenient to treat Bullinus as the type- 
genus of a distinct subfamily, in which Physopsis, Krauss, may be 
provisionally included. At least one recent writer has talked of 
the family Bullinidae, but in view of the close resemblance between 
the young shell of certain species of Planorbis (s.s.) and the adult 
shell of Bullinus, this course seems to me to go too far. 


Family PLANORBIDAE. 
Subfamily PLANORBINAE. 
Genus Gyraulus, Agassiz. 


Of the three species found in Lower Mesopotamia, two have 
been discussed already in this volume. I have unfortunately no 
information about the anatomy of the third. 


Key to the species of Gyraulus of Lower Mesopotamia. 


1. Shell surrounded by astrong median keel ; mouth 


of shell sharply pointed externally .. G, euphraticus. 
2. Median keel absent or poorly-developed ; mouth 
rounded or bluntly-pointed externally ... G. convexiusculus. 


3. Mouth of shell relatively small, bluntly pointed 
externally ; a fairly strong basal keel on peri- 
phery of shell see aac .. G. inteymixtus. 


Gyraulus euphraticus (Mousson). 
1919. Gyraulus euphraticus, Annandale and Prashad, Rec. Jnd. Mus., 
XVIII, pp. 40, 53, 55, figs. 5c, 7a, 8a. 
I have nothing to add to our recent observations on this 
species except to say that shells occur mixed with those of G. 


148 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


convexiusculus, which is the more abundant of the two, at the 
edge of the lower Euphrates at all points at which deposits are 
formed by floods. Probably Mousson included both species under 
the name Planorbis (Gyraulus) devians vat. euphratica. ‘There 
are no fresh specimens in the collections examined. 


Gyraulus convexiusculus (Hutton). 
1919. Gyvaulus convexiusculus, idem, op. cit., pp. 40, 53, figs. 5e, 70, 
8d. 


This is by far the most abundant species of the family in all 
the flood-deposits from Lower Mesopotamia from which I have 
examined shells. Capt. Boulenger obtained living specimens on 
mud-flats of the River Euphrates at Gurmut Ali, N. of Basra. As 
usual, the shell exhibits great individual variability and some 
examples come much nearer G. euphraticus than others. I can, 
however, detect no constant difference from series from India, 
Burma and China. 


Gyraulus intermixtus (Mousson). 
1874. Planorbis (Gyraulus) intermixtus, Mousson, Fourn. de Conchyl. 
(3) XIV, p. 45. 
This species is scarcer in the river-deposits of Lower Meso- 
potamia than either of the other two and I have only seen empty 
bleached shells. It is, however, widely distributed in this area. 


pod 


Gyraulus intermixtus (Mousson). 


It is closely related, as Mousson points out, to G. euphraticus, 
though that author did not recognize the identity of the latter 
species with the P. compressus of Benson and Hutton; but it 
differs in that the spiral is more transverse and deviates less 
below and in that the keel is situated_at the base of the last whorl 
instead of round its middle. ‘This is a very characteristic feature. 
Mousson trefers to the sculpture as ‘‘ transverse tenurter striata.” 
In the specimens before me I can detect no transverse striae, but 
they are perhaps slightly water-worn. ‘They agree well in other 
respects with the original description. 


Subfamily BULLININAE. 
Genus Bullinus, Adanson. 
1918. Bullinus, Annandale, Rec. Jnd. Mus., XV, p. 167. 


Mousson recognizes two species of this genus from flood- 
deposits in Lower Mesopotamia. He calls them Physa (Iszdora) 


1920. | N. ANNANDALE: Gastropod Molluscs. 149 


Brocchit, Ehrenberg, and Physa (Isodora) lirata, Mousson, and distin- 
guishes the latter by its more elongate body-whorl, regular spire, 
less distinct and less scalariform whorls, by the mouth of the shell 
being obtuse both above and below, and by the sculpture, which he 
describes as consisting of fine, sharp costae, which are somewhat 
distinct and represent lines of growth. The spiral and the form 
of the mouth in B. contortus (of which Istdora brocchit, Ehrenberg, 
is a Synonym) are so variable and the sculpture so liable to be less 
or more distinct in different phases and individuals that I am in- 
clined to regard these two forms as specifically identical, especially 
as I do not find that strong sculpture of the surface is always 
correlated with a more tightly wound shell or with any particular 
outline of the mouth. 


Bullinus contortus (Michaud). 


1874. Physa (Istdora) Brocchiz, var. approximans, and P. (1) livata (2), 
_Mousson, op. cit., pp. 42, 43, 

1918, Bullinus contortus, Annandale, op. cit., p. 168, pl. xx, figs. 6-11. 

1919. Bullinus contortes, Boulenger, /nd. Fourn. Med. Res., VII, p. 19. 

1919. Bullinus contortus, Kemp and Gravely, tom. cit., p. 255. 

The varietal or subspecific name approximans, M ousson, may 
perhaps be retained provisionally, but it seems probable that it 
represents a mere phase the peculiarities of which are due to life 
in water of abnormal chemical composition or to some other cir- 
cumstance of the environment. The most marked feature of this 
phase is the extreme variability of the shell, but a precisely similar 
variability occurs in a series of shells collected in Lake Ashangi 
in Abyssinia by the late Dr. W. T. Blanford. These shells are 
considerably larger than the majority of those from river-deposits 
in Lower Mesopotamia, but Capt. Boulenger obtained fresh shells 
almost as big in a drying marsh 5 miles S. of Amara and in a 
recently dried irrigation channel close to the River Tigris at the 
same place. The largest specimens in these series are 2 mm. long. 

It is curious that the species has not been found alive in 
Mesopotamia, but Capt. Boulenger’s specimens from Amara are 
entirely recent. Some of them even contain remains of the soft 
parts. B. contortus is a bottom-loving mollusc and perhaps in 
Mesopotamia, like Melanotdes tuberculatus in the Lake of Tiberias,! 
it only lives in comparatively deep water. 

Capt. R. B. Seymour Sewell, I.M.5., recently obtained a large 
shell of B. contortus (empty) near Gaza in southern Palestine, 
while I have no doubt that Preston’s Physa tiberidensis from the 
Jordan just north of the Lake of Tiberias is identical with the 
closely allied species or variety B. dybowskit. 


! Annandale, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal (n.s.) XI, p. 466 (1915). 


— EEE 


a teases ea 


MOLY 2 


EEE Sab eo 2S EM SHG Ne 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Director, and SUNDER 
Lat Hora, M.Sc., Research Assistant, Zoological 
Survey of India. 


( Plates XV—XVII.) 


INTRODUCTION. 


The fish of Seistan have a particular interest on account of 
their geographical isolation and of the peculiar structural modifica- 
tions that some of them possess. An account of the geography of 
the country, in so far as it affects the aquatic fauna, will be found 
in the Introduction to this volume. It may be well, however, to 
reiterate here-the fact that Seistan is a comparatively deep depres- 
sion (less than 2,000 feet above sea-level), and lies surrounded by 
desert and mountains much higher than itself. Its only connection 
by water with the outside world (apart from a few short and fitful 
streams that flow into it from the Afghan hills directly to the 
north) is the Helmand, which runs through the Afghan desert from 
the mountains in the north-eastern part of that country. Seistan 
is, in an almost literal sense, the child of the Helmand, which 
alone makes it a living country. Moreover, no ancient connection 
with any sea or any other large river can be premised. 

The following nine species of fish are known to us from Seistan 
or its immediate section of the Helmand system :— 


Fam. CYPRINIDAE. 


Subfam. CYPRININAE. Subfam. SCHIZOTHORACINAE. 
Discognathus adiscus. Schizothorax zarudnyi. | 
Discognathus phryne.* Schizopygopsts stoliczkae.F 
Scaphiodon macmahont. Schizocypris brucer.t 


Fam, COBLEID AE: 
Nemachilus stoliczkae.t 
Adiposia macmahont. Adiposia rhadinaea. 


The species whose name is marked with a * is also found in 
the hills of northern Baluchistan; those with a f are widely distri- 
buted in the headwaters of the rivers that run northwards from 
the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush, while that with a { is only 
known, apart from Seistan, from the mountains of Waziristan on 
the North-West Frontier of India. ‘The rest, so far as we know, 
are endemic in Seistan. 


152 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo.L. XVIII, 


These endemic species belong to two categories, those allied 
to fish that live at high altitudes in Central Asia, and those allied 
to representatives of the fish-fauna of Baluchistan. To the former 
category belong Schizothorax zarudnyt and the two species of 
Adiposia, to the latter (with which may be classed Discognathus 
phryne) D. adiscus and Scaphiodon macmahoni. ‘The fish-fauna of 
Seistan may, indeed, be separated as a whole into two geographi- 
cal divisions. The Cyprininae, which do not occur in the highlands 
of Central Asia, represent an element derived from the country 
lying south and south-east of the Helmand basin; while the 
Schizothoracinae and the Cobitidae have been brought by the 
Helmand from the Hindu Kush and are probably descended from 
the fish-fauna of the ancient and once extensive Oxus system. 
There is very little affinity with the scanty fish-fauna of the 
Persian plateau, a noteworthy difference being the complete 
absence of the Cyprinodontidae, several species of which, as 
Jenkins! has shown, are common in the Shiraz district. 

We have as yet little information about the fish of north- 
western Baluchistan and the adjacent parts of Afghanistan, which 
are not remote from the sources of the Helmand system, but 
probably these fish will be found to have Central Asiatic affinities 
and to be closely related to those of Seistan. The fish of southern 
Baluchistan seem to be quite distinct. They have recently been 
discussed by Zugmayer,’ whose collection was mainly from Tas 
Bela, Kelat and the Mekran. ‘The fish-fauna of south-eastern 
Baluchistan was described many years ago by Day,’ with a few 
records from the Quetta district, in his account of that of south- 
eastern Afghanistan ; McClelland* as long ago as 1838 published 
descriptions of a good many species from the Kabul district, and 
Gunther ° discussed a comparatively small collection, mainly from 
the Murghab river in western Afghanistan, in 1889. Not a single 
species recorded from any of these districts (except Discognathus 
phryne from Quetta) has been found in Seistan. We must look still 
further north for the main origin of its fish-fauna, and to a 
country lying at much greater altitudes above sea-level. This 
fauna, indeed, is a remarkable instance of the acclimatization of a 
mountain fauna in a low-lying swampy depression. 

The acclimatization has probably taken place in compara- 
tively recent times, and the question naturally arises, how far has 
it affected the structure of the fish ? Before attempting to answer 
this question, however, it is necessary to say a little more about 
the provenance of the collections on which we have worked, and 


| Jenkins, Rec. Ind. Mus., V, p. 123 (1910). 

2 Zugmayer, ‘‘ Die Fische von Baluchistan,”” Abh. k. Bayerischen Ak. Wiss. 
(Math.-phys. Klasse), XXV1, pt. 6 (1913). 

3 Day, “On the Fishes of Afghanistan.” Pvoc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 224 
(1880). 

4 McClelland, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal, VII (2), p- 944 (1838). rie: 

5 Gunther in Aitchison’s ‘‘ The Zoology of Afghan Delimitation Commission,” 
Trans. Linn. Soc. London, V (2), p. 106 (1889). 


1920.]| N. ANNANDALE & S. I. Hora: The Fish of Setstan. 153 


the precise circumstances in which the different species were 
obtained. ; 

Our specimens represent two collections, one made by Sir 
Henry McMahon and the other officers of the Seistan Arbitra- 
tion Commission of 1902-1904, the other by officers of the Zoo- 
logical Survey of India in the winter of 1918. 

The specimens from the first of these collections are labelled, 
without further particulars, as being from Seistan; but in an 
editorial note prefixed to the description of two new species by 
Mr. Tate Regan,! it is stated that they came from ‘‘ affluents of 
the Helmand.’ Now, the Helmand has no affluents in Seistan or 
anywhere near Seistan; none, indeed, in any district where other 
zoological collectioris were made by the Commission. We believe, 
therefore, that “‘affluents”’ is a /apsus calami for “ effluents,” 
and that the fish are from the lower parts of the Helmand system— 
if not actually from Seistan in all cases, at any rate from the adja- 
cent parts of the Afghan desert. This is borne out by information 
kindly given us by Sir Henry McMahon, who writes, ‘‘ The fish 
collected by us were to the best of my belief all from the Rud-i- 
Seistan near our permanent camp near Kuhak close to the take off 
of the Rud-i-Seistan from the Helmand....... Everything we 
got was of course from the ‘ deltaic mouths’ of the Helmand 
and the area of the delta.’’ 

There is no doubt as to the more recent collection. It was 
made by Dr. N, Annandale and Dr. S. W. Kemp in small water- 
channels in the plains of Seistan, in pools in the desert and in half- 
dried beds of effluents of the Helmand in the same district, and 
in the Hamun-i-Helmand, the lake-basin into which that river 
ultimately drains. 

Evenin winter the smallest water-channels, provided they were 
of a permanent nature, were found to swarm with Discognathus 
adiscus and among large numbers of this species a single speci- 
men of D. phryne was found at Nasratabad. D. adiscus was 
obtained in much smaller numbers in the reed-beds of the Hamun 
at the same season, but for some reason all the individuals seen 
were dead or dying, though healthy fish of the same species were 
captured in a small reedy water-course connected with the lake. 
The species occurred in enormous numbers, with young Schizo- 
thorax zarudnyi and a few young Schizocypris brucet, in bare pools 
of very foul water in the bed of the Randa stream near the ruined 
city of Jellalabad (not to be confused with the modern town of 
the same name in Afghanistan). Here again, for more obvious 
reasons, the fish were dead or dying, or rather the Cyprinidae 
were doing so, for the loach Adiposia macmahoni, which was 
buried in the mud at the bottom, was quite healthy. In the 
Hamun-i-Helmand itself the only fish that was apparently at ail 
common in winter was Schizothorax zarudnyt, of which only adult 
specimens were obtained from the lake. This species was originally 


! Regan, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal, Il, p. 8 (1906). 


154 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


¢ gj 


described from the Nazzar or that surrounds 
the Hamun. 

Of the seven species! represented in the collection of the 
Arbitration Commission only three (Discognathus phryne, Adiposia 
macmahont and Schizothorax zarudnyt) are common to it and the 
one of five species recently obtained. This is probably to be ex- 
plained by the fact that the former collection was mainly if not 
exclusively of fluviatile origin, while the other was paludine or 
lacustrine, or at any rate not from rapid-flowing water. 

We may now consider the question of structural modification 
in the Seistan fish, distinguishing carefully between those peculi- 
arities they brought with them from their mountain home and 
those that may have been evolved in the basin of the Helmand. 

A striking feature of the fish-fauna of Seistan is the de- 
generate nature of the scales. The degeneracy is not of the 
same kind, however, in all the species. In the Schizothorax, the 
Schizopygopsis and the Schizocypris—as, indeed, in all Schizo- 
thoracinae—the scales are small, partly buried in the skin and (if 
not completely degenerate) non-imbricate or almost so in the 
living fish, except in the anal and scapular regions. In Discogna- 
thus phryne they have almost completely disappeared on the 
ventral and dorsal regions, remaining normal in shape and size, 
but somewhat deciduous, on the sides; in Scaphiodon macmahont, 
while normal on the sides and back, they are absent or degenerate 
on the ventral surface. In the three Cobitidae scales are al- 
together absent or merely vestigial. Oniy in Discognathus adiscus 
does the lepidosis appear quite normal, and in this species the 
scales are so deciduous that carelessly preserved specimens are 
almost naked. 

The Schizothoracinae are the dominant fish of the streams 
and marshes of the high plateau of Central Asia, the waters of 
which they share with the Cobitidae, most of which are practically 
scaleless. Smallsize or absence of scales is, therefore, a conspicuous 
feature of the fish-fauna of that region, and the plates of Herzen- 
stein’s * great monograph offer in this respect a striking contrast to 
those illustrating the Cyprinidae in Day’s Fishes of India. Ui, 
therefore, it had been only the Schizothoracinae and the Cobitidae 
which had manifested in Seistan signs of degeneracy in the scales, 
all that could have been said would have been that they were 
descended from species that possessed this feature, and provided 
no evidence that life in a low-lying country was affecting ancestral 
characters in this respect. The case would have been to some 
extent parallel to that of Salmonidae confined in land-locked 
waters, for the small size of the scales in both the Schizothoracinae 
and the Salmonidae is probably due to the importance of a supple 


‘ reed-country ’ 


1 Discognathus variabilis, Scaphiodon macmahoni, Schigothorax sarudnyt, 
Schizopygopsis stoliczkae, Nemachilus stoliczkae, Adiposia rhadinaea, Ad:posia 
macmahont. 

2 Herzenstein, Fische, in Wiss. Res. Przewalski Central-As. Reis. Zool., IKI, 
2), (1888). 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. lL. Hora: The Fish of Setstan. 155 


integument in rapid-running water. Similarly with the Cobitidae, 
which have probably lost their scales in acquiring the burrowing 
habit. But the fact that the Cyprininae also of Seistan are, as it 
were, casting off their scaly garment and by a different process 
from either the Cobitidae or the Schizothoracinae, suggests that the 
phenomenon has some other, strictly local significance, and that 
there is something in the environment of these fish that renders 
scales an encumbrance rather than a protection. But what this 
something is, we do not know.! 

Another general peculiarity of the fish of Seistan, possibly 
correlated with the degeneracy of the scales, is the brittleness of 
their fin-rays. ‘This feature isso well-marked that difficulty was 
experienced in preserving specimens with the caudal and dorsal 
fins intact. Possibly both phenomena may be due, directly or 
indirectly, to the peculiar composition of the water in which these 
fish live ; but this is a mere suggestion. 

The species all seem to be mainly bottom-feeders, with at 
least partly ventral mouths and more or less flattened ventral 
surfaces. They do not, however, possess any highly specialized 
tactile organs, and their eyes, though rather small, are not de- 
generate. ‘The fins are small, but at any rate in the Schizothora- 
cinae and Cobitidae, much larger proportionately in the young 
than in the adult. 

This is all we can say about the structural peculiarities of the 
fish-fauna of Seistan as a whole, but in two of the three species of 
Cobitidae a remarkable peculiarity occurs, namely, the persistence 
of the posterior part of the primitive dorsal fold in the form of 
a soft or adipose fin. This peculiarity has not been commented on 
hitherto in any Cyprinoid fish. It is not, however, found only 
in species from Seistan, for it is figured, apparently without com- 
ment in the Russian description, by Kessler in his Nemachilus 
longicauda from Turkestan. Moreover, as we will demonstrate 
later, the soft fin in these fish differs little in fundamental structure 
from the fold present in a young post-larval stage in the allied genus 
Nemachilus. Its persistence and slight modification in the species 
to which we give the generic name Adzposza is probably correlated 
with the necessity of burrowing in the mud in periods of drought. 
We will discuss the homology and function of the structure in 
detail when describing the genus. 

All we can say, therefore, on the subject of structural modi- 
fication in the fish of Seistan is that they are in several instances 
specialized forms, but that apart from a certain degeneracy of 
the scales, their specialization is not the result of evolution 
in their present home, but of long anterior specialization in 
the mountains of Central Asia. Their migration to the swampy 


t A suggestion has been made to us that the disappearance of the scales may 
be correlated with increased necessity for respiration by means of the skin, but 
this could hardly be affected by deciduous scales, which are only lost when the fish 
suffers rough treatment. 


156 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor.. XVIII, 


basin of Seistan has been in all probability too recent for any very 
marked change to have taken place in their structure, and, as is 
so often the case when a fauna survives in abnormal conditions, 
structural peculiarities are on the whole less marked thana 
physiological vigour and a power of reproduction sufficient to 
overcome adverse factors in the environment. It is too often 


forgotten that physiological evolution may take place, and fre- 
quently does take place, without visible bodily change. 


DESCRIPTION OF THE FAUNA, 


All the fish in the fauna of Seistan belong to the suborder 
Cyprinoidea and to the families Cyprinidae and Cobitidae. Those 
representing the former family belong to the two subfamilies 
Cyprininae and Schizothoracinae. Three species fall in the Cobi- 
tidae, and three in each of the subfamilies of Cyprinidae. 


KEvY To THE FISHES OF SEISTAN. 


A. Scales of large or moderate size present on some part 
of the body ; posterior pharyngeal bones stout, bear- 
ing coarse teeth arranged as a rule in more than one 
row ; air-bladder large, free 

1. Lateral scales of large or moderate SES, much less 
than 100 in lateral line; no greatly enlarged 
scales in the region of the vent 

a. Lower jaw sharp, with an internal horny 
sheath ; no adhesive disk behind the mouth.. 
Scales 37-39%, 2 barbels ; diameter of eye 4 to 
Ax times in length of head, depth of body 3% 
to 3+ in total length e 
Ds ik ower Taw blunt, without a horny sheath ; an 
adhesive disk behind the mouth us 
i. Ventral surface covered with scales; 4 
barbels ; adhesive disk without posterior 
free border 
ii. Chest naked; 2 barbels; 


Cyprinidae. 


Cyprininae. 


Scaphiodon. 


S. macmahont. 


Discognathus. 


pas . D. adiscus. 
posterior border 


of adhesive disk free D. phryne. 
2. Jateral scales, if present, small, more than 100 in 
the lateral line; a sheath of greatly enlarged 
scales in the anal region Schizothoraci- 
a. No lateral scales ; a scapular patch of enl arged nae, 
scales. present; no barbels; lower jaw 
sharp Schizopygopsts. 


Mouth extending backwards nearly as far as 
or slightly bey ond the anterior border of the 
eye; pectoral fin much shorter than head ,,, 

b. \ateral scales present. 

i. Mouth terminal or subterminal, lower jaw 
blunt; ventral scales present; 4 bar- 
bels : 

Scales at base of fins slightly enlarged ; 
anal sheath rather poorly developed ; 


S. stoliczkae. 


Schizothorax. 


lips normal 
11. Mouth ventral ; 
scales absent ; 
sent 
Origin of dorsal equidistant from eye and 
base of caudal, above posterior part of 
pelvic shin 


lower jaw sharp, ventral 
barbels vestigial cr ab- 


S. zavudnyt. 


Schizocypris. 


S. brucei. 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan, 157 


B. Scales vestigial or absent; posterior pharyngeal bones 
slender, bearing a single row of slender teeth; air- 
bladder small, enclosed in bone; at least 6 barbels 
present re 

1. No soft dorsal fin i es ten 
Caudal peduncle at least 3 times as long as deep, 
length of head 4—4% times in total length (without 
caudal) : a 

2. A ridge-like soft dorsal fin present 


a. Dorsal and ventral profiles straight, parallel... 

b. Dorsal profile irregular owing to the depression 
of the head and the convexity of the anterior 
part of the back. 


Cobitidae. 
Nemachilus. 


NV. stoliczkae. 
Adiposia. 
A. rhadinaea. 


A. macmahont. 


Text-F1G. 1.—Scales of Cyprininae. 


a. Dorso-lateral scale of Scaphiodon macmahont, X 173. 


b. Dorso-lateral scale of Discognathus phryne, X 173: 
c. Dorso-lateral scale of Discognathus adiscus, X 173. 


Family CYPRINIDAHE. 
Subfamily CYPRININAE. 


The Cyprininae are a dominant group in the fish-fauna of 
India and are well represented even in that of Baluchistan and 


158 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Sind. They form a large proportion of that of Persia and are 
abundant in western Asia. In Seistan, however, only three species 
and two genera are known, and these are the only species (except 
possibly Schizocypris brucei) that are not of direct Central Asiatic 
ancestry. 

The two genera are Discognathus, Heckel (which we distin- 
guish from Garra, Ham. Buch.) and Scaphiodon, Heckel. Both 
these genera probably originated in south-western Asia, but 
whereas Scaphiodon has proliferated specifically in Baluchistan 
and has extended its range from southern Arabia southwards and 
eastwards through Mesopotamia and southern Persia, along the 
Mekran coast and through Sind to the Malabar Zone of Penin- 
sular India, Discognathus, of which only a few species are known, 
occupies a region extending from the North-West Frontier of India 
to Syria. Since or shortly before reaching India, however, it gave 
rise to a more highly specialized offshoot (Garra) which has sepa- 
trated into many species in the Peninsula and ranges, possibly 
from Syria! ts Borneo and southern China. Scaphiodon, Garra 
and probably Discognathus occur together in Oman. 


Genus Scaphiodon, Heckel. 


1878. Scaphiodon, Day, Fishes of India, II, p. 550. 
1913. Scaphtodon, Zugmayer, Abh. Wiss. K. Bay. Ak. (Math.-phys. 
Klasse), XXVI, p. 28. . 

The geographical distribution of this genus is peculiar. It 
seems to centre in Baluchistan, in which no less than six distinct 
species occur. Thence it extends westwards to Persia and southern 
Arabia and southwards through Sind down the Malabar Zone of 
Peninsular India and inland as far as the base of the Nilgiris. 

Zugmayer (op. cit.) discusses the species known from Balu- 
chistan and Seistan. 


Scaphiodon macmahoni, Regan. 


1906. Scaphiodon macmahoni, Regan, Fourm. As. Soc. Bengal, Ul, p.s. 
To facilitate reference we quote Mr. Tate Regan’s description 

of the species :—- 
“Depth of body 33 to 3+ in the length, length of head 4: to 
42. Snout obtuse, shorter than the post-orbital part 
of head. Diameter of eye 4 to 4: in the length of 
head, interorbital width 25,22. Mouth inferior; lower 
jaw with nearly straight transverse anterior edge; 
barbel originating directly below the nostril, shorter 
than the eye. Scales 37-392, 4 between lateral line 


! The systematic position of the Syrian Discognathus rufus, Heckel, pre- 
viously regarded by one of us asarace of D.lamta, Ham. Buch. is doubtful. 
No specimens are at present available to us, but the figure published in the 
Fournal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (N.S.) IX, p. 37, fig. 2, suggests that 
the species is a true Discognathus (s.s.). 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 159 


and root of the ventral fin, 16-18 round the caudal 

peduncle; the two rows above the lateral line the 

largest; scales of the lower part of the abdomen small 
or rudimentary. Dorsal III, 10, its origin equidistant 
from tip of snout and base of caudal; third simple 

ray moderately strong, serrated in its basal half, 2 

to s the length of the head and 11 as long as the last 

branched ray, free edge of the fin straight. Anal III, 

6-7, the second branched ray a little longer than the 

first or the third and twice as long as the last, as long 

as or little longer than the longest dorsal ray. 

Pectoral, a little shorter than the head, extending 2 
or sof the distance from its base to the base of 
ventral. Ventrals originating below the first branched 
ray of dorsal, extending nearly to the origin of anal. 
Caudal forked. Caudal peduncle 11 to 13 as long as 
deep, its last depth not more than : the length of 
head. Greyish above, silvery below, fins pale or some- 
what dusky. 

Two specimens 70 and I10 mm. in total length. The larger 
with tubercles on the snout and on the rays of 
the anal fin. 

Cyprinion kirmanensts, Nikolski, 1899, appears to be allied to 
this species, but differs at least in the larger eye, the 
thick and strongly serrated Jast simple dorsal ray, the 
form of the dorsal fin and the coloration.” 


The lateral scales agree fairly well with Cockerell’s ' descrip- 
tion of those of other species of the genus but differ in having 
ill-developed radii on the basal part and in lacking tubercles 
between the radii. The base resembles that of his figure of the 
scale of S. muscatensis. ‘Those on the ventral surface are entirely 
buried in the skin. They all appear circular on the surface, but 
the larger ones are sub-triangular, the distal end being produced 
and bluntly pointed. The smallest ventral scales are transversely 
oval and have the nucleus nearly central. Their basal radii are 
well developed. A large scale from the row above the lateral line 
has the following measurements:—length 3°9 mm., breadth 4:2 
mm., distance of nucleus from base o°8 mm. ; in a sub-triangular 
ventral scale they are, length 1'7 mm., breadth 1°8 mm., distance 
of nucleus from base 05 mm.; ina small transversely oval ven- 
tral scale, length 1-1 mm., breadth 1°3 mm., distance of nucleus 
from base o°5 mm. 

Only two specimens are known, both collected by the Seistan 
Arbitration Commission in the delta of the Helmand. We have 
examined the larger of the two, which 1s preserved in the Indian 
Museum. ‘The tubercles on its snout and fins referred to by Regan 


1 Cockerell, Bull. Bur. Fisheries (Washington), XXXII, p. 138, pl. xxxiti, 
fig. 10 (1912). 


160 Records of the Indian Museum. VoL. XVIII, 


are of parasitic origin, as is shown in the following note, for which 
we have to thank Dr. Baini Prashad :— 


‘“The tubercles noted by Regan in the description of the large 
specimen of S. macmahoni are due to the encvsted glochidia of 
some Unionid. The arrangement of these parasites in this speci- 
men is rather striking. There are three to five slightly irregular 
rows on the snout and the region of the head below the eyes. On 
the anal fin there are six parallel rows following the lines of the 
fin-rays on either face. 

The number of glochidia in each row varies from about three 
to ten. In addition to those in the two situations noted by Regan 
in his account, there are a few glochidia encysted on some of the 
scales of the ventro-lateral regions of the body between the ventral 
and the anal fins. 

Owing to the glochidia being in an advanced stage of encyst- 
ment and the poor preservation of the specimen, it is not possible 


TEXxT-FIG. 2.—One of the type-specimens of Scaphiodon macmahont 
with encysted glochidia on head and fins. 


to ascertain all the larval characters. It is, however, clearly seen 
that the hinge-line is not straight but curved, and that the surface 
of the shell-valves is minutely sculptured. 

Owing to our limited knowledge of the anatomy of the 
Seistan Unionidae it is not possible to assign the glochidia to any 
definite species, but they may possibly belong to Lamellidens mar- 
ginalis subsp. rhadinaeus, Annandale and Prashad,' a form widely 
distributed in the basin of the Helmand river and recently 
described.” 


Scaphiodon macmahoni, Regan (type). 


Measurements (in millimetres), number of fin-rays, scales and pro- 
portions :— 


1. Total length (including caudal) = me 114.6 mm. 
2. Length of caudal sas fee fas 2252 2°h 5, 
3. Greatest depth of body ... .: we PISO 
4. Length of head ee wa ne 2S ae ass 


1 Rec. Ind. Mus., XVIII, pp- 59-62, pl. vill, figs. 7-11 (1919). 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. I. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 161 


5. Width of head ss es te r4°7° mim 
6. Length of snout a bf oer 8:0 s 
7- Diameter of eye 45 e 
8. Interorbital width 8°2 i 
g. Longest ray of dorsal 16°7 5p 
10. a5 eal : 179 5: 
11. Length of pectoral =. 17°4 of 
12. No. of branched rays in dorsal 10 
13. " " of eeeanal 6 
14. No. of scales in L.L. 3 er 38 
iS 4 ie 37 In. Series above L.L: 7+ 
10. ay i », below L.L. sie T2t 
ie BA a between L.L. and Ventral 4i 
18. 4 55 516 
LON ape 7s 451 
20. F 5H 5°38 
21 va ” =, 
-Caudal sa 
22 oo ra 4°16 
1-Caudal 
23 eae 3°63 
1-Caudal 
24 =e 433 


Discognathus, Heckel. 


1843. Discognathus, Heckel in Russeger, Reisen, I, 2, p. 1027. 
1863. Discognathus (s.s.), Bleeker, Atl. Zchth., III, p. 24. 
1919. Discognathus, group of D. variabilis, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus., 
XVIII, p. 67. 
The genus as restricted may be defined as follows :— 
Cyprininae with a ventral mouth situated only a short dis- 
tance behind the tip of the snout, with exposed cartilaginous jaws 
without horny covering, a fringed membranous, tuberculate upper 
lip, a vestigial lower lip ; situated behind the mouth a more or less 
well-defined adhesive disk less than half as wide as the head and 
consisting of a semi-cartilaginous pad with or without an anterior 
but always without a posterior specialized border, at least partially 
free round the margin but often adherent at the sides or pos- 
teriorly. ‘The snout not modified in either sex. Seven or 8 branched 
rays in the dorsal fin and 5 in the anal. Form compressed, but 
ventral surface slightly flattened. Branchial opening moderate; 
opercular and praeopercular_ borders meeting those of the opposite 
side at an acute angle on the ventral surface some distance behind 
the adhesive disk; branchial isthmus narrow. Scales at least 
nearly as broad as long, somewhat deciduous in the species 
examined, with well-defined radii at any rate on the distal part 
and concentric transverse striae at the base. Pharyngeal bones 
delicate, bearing 11 elongate fixed teeth and at least one free, 
minute tooth; dental formula (omitting free teeth) 5°3°3 3°3°5 or 
5°4'2 2°4°5: teeth closely crowded together. 
Type-spectes: D. variabilis, Heckel (selected by Bleeker). 
This genus is distinguished from Garra (s.s.) by the more 
anterior position of the mouth, the less complex structure of the 
adhesive disk, less flattened ventral surface, and narrow branchial 


162 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


isthmus. From Ciryhina and Crossochilus it is separated by the 
presence of an adhesive disk on the ventral surface of the head. 
The jaws are also less sharp and not so bony. ‘They have no trace 
of horny covering. Further, except in Cirrhina afghana from the 
Nushki desert, the characters of which are very divergent, the 
scales of the Indian species of Civrhina are always distinctly longer 
than broad. The teeth also are stouter than those of Dzscog- 
nathus. 

The relationship of Discognathus to Garra seems fairly clear. 
There can be no doubt that the former is the more primitive of 
the two, departing less from the normal Cyprinid type. This is 
borne out not only by the structure of the adult Discognathus 


TEXT-FIG. 3.—Pharyngeal teeth of Discognathus. 
a. D. adiscus. 


b. D. phryne. 


but also by the fact that the young Garra passes through a stage 
in which the structure of the head agrees with that of Dzscog- 
nathus. We figure a young specimen of G. nasutus 7°4 mm. long, 
illustrating this point, with one of about the same size of Psilorhyn- 
chus for comparision. It will be seen that its adhesive mental 
disk and also its branchial isthmus closely resemble those of 
D. adiscus (Rec. Ind. Mus., XVIII, pl. xi, fig. 1). We refrain 
from discussing this point further because Prof. D. R. Bhatta- 
charyya of Allahabad is at present engaged in a detailed study of 
the anatomy of the mouth-parts, etc., of these fish. 

The genetic relationship in the opposite direction between 
Discognathus on the one hand, and Crossochilus and Czirrhina on 
the other, though undoubtedly close, is not yet capable of full 


1920.| N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 163 


discussion, which would involve an examination not only of all the 
Indian species assigned to Cirrhina but also of the Malayan ones 
assigned to Cvrossochilus. We have made a somewhat cursory 
survey of the former but find so much diversity of structure and 


Text-riG. 4.—Young of Garra nasuta and Psitlorhynchus tentaculatus. 
a. Lateral view of young D. nasuta showing dorsal fold (magnified). 
6. Lower view of head of same fish (further magnified) showing resem- 
blance of ventral disk to that of Discognathus adiscus. 
c. Young of Psilorhynchus tentaculatus at a slightly later stage of develop- 
ment (magnified). 
d. Dorsal view of head of same fish ( 


(further magnified) showing com- 
plete absence of disk. 


so little correlation between the different peculiarities noted in 
certain species by former authors, that we think it best to put the 
subject aside for further consideration when more material from 
the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago is available, 


164 Records of the Indian Museum. (Vor. X Vat - 


Another point on which a few words may be desirable is that 
of the use of the names Discognathus and Garra. ‘The former was 
first applied by Heckel! to a group of fishes including species of 
both genera. The original work is not available in India, and we 
have to thank Mr. Tate Regan for the information that Heckei 
did not designate a type-species. Bleeker,’ however, in 1863, 
while accepting Garva as a generic name, recognized Discognathus 
as a subgenus, for which he selected D. vartabilis, a form closely 
allied to D. phryne, as type-species. The fact that he based the 
subgeneric division on the number of barbels, an unimportant 
character, does not invalidate his nomenclature, and if the group 
of which D. variabilis is a member is to be regarded as a distinct 
genus there can be no dispute as to its proper name. 

The status of the name Garra is a little more doubtful. It 
was first proposed by Buchanan ® as that of a division of Cyprinus, 
fora heterogeneous collection of convergent species including forms 
now referred to Cirrhina, Psilorhynchus and Balitora. No type- 
species was selected, but Cyprinus lamta was described first, and 
the name of the division was that given locally to this fish. As 
has been pointed out in a former note in this volume (p. 77), it is 
doubtful what Cyprinus lamta, which may have been a composite 
species, really was; but there can be no doubt that it was a 
member ot set of members of the genus we now call Garra. 

Various other names were applied to species of the same 
genus by the earlier writers on Indian ichthyology, such as Chon- 
drostoma, Goniorhynchus and Platycara. ‘The only one of these 
that need be considered is the last, as the others were originally 
given to fish unrelated to the Indian species. Platycara was 
coined by McClelland in 1838 to take the place of Balitora, Gray, 
which he regarded as barbarous and etymologically incorrect. 
Gray’s Balitora, as is clear from the figure in the “‘ Illustrations ”’ 
(fig. 192, pl. 68) was a Homalopterid, but the only species defin- 
itely assigned to Platycara by McClelland in his earlier work * was 
nasutus, which is equally certainly congeneric with Buchanan’s 
Cyprinus (Garra) lamta. In the same paper McClelland described 
the genus Pstlorhynchus, for another species included by Buchanan 
in his group Garra, and the name Platycara is printed above that 
of Psilorhynchus. No one has disputed McClelland’s right to 
separate this genus from Garra. In a slightly later, more com- 
prehensive and better-known work,’ however, McClelland definitely 
placed Gray’s Balitora maculata in his genus Platycara, and as the 
earlier paper was clearly not meant to be comprehensive, it may 
be assumed that he always intended that this species should be 
what is now called the type-species of the genus. 


! Heckel in Russegger, Rezsen, I, 2, p. 1027 (1843). 

2 Bleeker, Atl. Zchth., III, p. 24 (1863). 

8 Buchanan, ‘‘An Account of the Fishes of the Ganges’”’ (1822). 
4 McClelland, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal, VII, p. 944 (1838). 

6 McClelland, Aszatie Researches, XIX, p. 246 (1839). 


1920.]| N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 165 


The name Garra was used in a double sense by Bleeker,! as 
that of a genus, in which he included species of both the genera 
recognized by us, and also (sensu stricto) as that of a subgenus, from 
which he excluded the species accepted by us as the type-species 
of Discognathus. Buchanan was not acquainted with any form 
belonging to this latter group, which is not found in the territory 
explored by him. 

Taking all these facts into consideration, we accept Jordan 
and Evermann’s ® finding that Garra, Ham. Buch. is the correct 
generic name of the species assigned by Day to Discognathus, but 
much of the synonymy in the Fishes of India under the latter 
name is incorrect. 


Discognathus adiscus, Annandale. 


1919. Discognathus adiscus, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus., XVIII, p. 68, 
Dex ne 2) ple xi, fie at 

The formula of the pharyngeal dentition is capable of two 
interpretations. Omitting the minute free teeth (found not only 
inthis genus but also in Garra and Cirrhina) it may be read 
either 5°4°22°4°5 or 5°3°33°3°5. The scales* are subcircular, 
but slightly longer than broad, sinuate at the base and rounded 
distally. Some have a pair of lateral processes as shown in fig. I. 
They have nine or ten radii, which proceed obliquely forwards. 
About half of these radii arise near the nucleus, which is 
situated at about a sixth of the distance between the base and 
the distal margin ; the others are much shorter and arise nearer 
the distal margin ; long and short radii alternate, but not always. 
There are about Io to 12 transverse striae near the base in fully 
formed scales. Dentritic blotches and minute round dots of 
pigment are scattered on the distal part. The measurements of a 
large lateral scale are as follows:—length 3 mm., breadth 2°7 mm., 
distance of nucleus 0°45 mm. 

We give measurements, etc. of a series of specimens from 
Seistan. 

In many respects this is the most primitive species of the 
genus known and the most closely related to Cirrhina. It is 
interesting to observe that the young of Garra nasuta*, one of the 
most highly specialized member of its genus, passes through a 
stage at which the mental disk is very similar to that of D. adiscus. 

D. adiscus lives in still or sluggish water and feeds on algae 
ona muddy bottom. Itis markedly gregarious and may some- 
times be seen on the surface of water-channels in the evening in 
shoals. In the plain of Seistan D. adiscus and the young of 
Schizothorax zarudnyi are almost equally abundant in pools left in 


1 Bleeker, Atl. Jchth., III, p. 24 (1863). 

2 Jordan and Evermann, The Genera uf Fishes, p. 115 (1917). 

> This statement is not in verbal agreement with that of Cockerell, Bz. 
Bur, Fish. (Washington), XXXII: 1912); but the question is one of degree. 

* See Annandale, Rec. Jnd. Mus. XVI, p. 132, pl. ii, fig. 2. 


166 Records of the Indian Museum. (Vor. XVAaE 


dry stream-beds in December. They perish annually in enormous 
numbers at this season as the water grows salt or foul owing to 
evaporation or to the excreta of large flocks of sheep and goats 
belonging to the nomad tribes who camp near the stream-beds. 
The Discognathus is found, alone or with D. phryne, also in 
permanent. irrigation channels and is very abundant in those that 
supply the garden of the British Consulate at Nasratabad or 
Shahr-i-Seistan. A few moribund individuals were caught at the 
same season in the reed-beds of the Hamun-i-Helmand, but the 
reason why they were dying was not apparent, for the water was 
neither salt nor foul. Numerous healthy individuals were captured 
in a reedy canal leading out of the Hamun a few days later. 


Discognathus adiscus, Annandale. 
Measurements (in millimetres). Number of Fin-rays, Scales and 


Proportions. 
| | | a 

1} Total length (including | | 
“| caudal) .. . + | §0°5| 58°9) 41-0) 70°4| 41°5| 56°3) §7°3, 54°38 63°7 600) 52°3| 46°0 
2) Length of caudal 5. | ELERO)! 5CC HO}! “(ORO} 14°6) “8-2| 13-0] 13°1, 11°4 140, 13°0| 11°8, 10°0 
3| Greatest depth of Pe 9'0, 10°7| 8:0) 13°6| 8-1] 11-0] 11-0) OVI git oy 10°2)10°0, 7°O 
4| Length of head : 9°s|11°5| 7°5 12°9| 8-0] 10°6 10°8 103] 11°5| TO 6 10°4 9:0 
5 Width of head .. | 78) 8:2] 5:6, g:o| 61 7:8! 7-8) 7:0| 7-8 8:6] 7-2] 6-2 
6) Length of snout 3°3|!4°6| 370) 50, 3-2/2 3:9) 14255 325) taro! “AO aeslunsca 
7| Diameter of eye 2°5| 2:9).)2:2|| -3°3)'- 2:4! 3:0| 328] 370; 43°3h= 350) anne 
8) Interorbital width 4°3| 5°0| 4°0| 6°8, 4:0] 5.0| 5-0 4:9! 5:0 5°25 -Clesaie 
9 Longest ray of dorsal. g-2'12°5| 972/14°6) 8°3) 11-0 I1°3) 10°6 130] 12°2) 10°8] 9°38 
10, Longest ray of anal ..:| 7:0; 8°4) 5°1;10°3| 6:0! 7°5| 7°7| 69, 9°6| 8:8) 8-2] 6.5 
1 Length of pectoral | 7°4|10:7| 6:9 12°8| 7°1| 9:2) 10:0} 9.3! 11-2| 10:7; 8-6) 8-0 
12| No. of branched rays | | | | 

in dorsal 8 a) Beale re: d Tail “gains | Telstar 
13, No. of branched rays | | | 

in anal .. eae S ab ah sole S oi gSeaia 5 lS elpoe seas 
14| No. of scalesin L-L.;.»| 37 | 36 | 36 | 37 | 37°} 37 | 37 | 37-1 37 | 35 | 35 30 
IS No. of scales in ane: | | | 

verselineaboveL.L. | 5 5 Gop g Gt Bie 5 5 5 5 5 
16 No. of scales in trans- 

verse line below L.L. | 63 | 6} | 6$ | 6} | 63 | 63 | 63 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 6% | Of 
Vy, z- | 4°59| £153| 4°55 482! 5° 06 4°33| 4°37, 48| 4°55) 4O1| 4°43] 4°3 
18 +. | 5°6 | 5S | 5°22 5°17) 5°12 S11) 52 | 5°76) 5°79| 588) 5°23) 0'57 
19| a: 5°31| 5° | 5°49) 5°45| 5°18) 5°31) 5°3 | 5°32| 5°53| 5°00, 5°03) 5-11 
he + + | 3°8 |3°9"| 3°41) 3°9 |3°3 | 3°53! 3°48) 3°43] 3°5 | 3°53) 2°73) 3°40 
ss 1-Caudal | | | } : | semezaliey ell aes ’ 
21 neat : . = | 3°59| 3°53'3°55| 3°62| 400! 3°33] 3°37|3°S | 3°55] 3°O1| 3°43] 3°0 
pi FCaudal | | | | _pelliMe ; : Pere le ; 
a2 fan ; +. |44|43 40 |4°T (4°13 3°93| 40 |4°57| 4°51) 40 | 4°05) 5°4 

3 | | | 

a 1-Caudal | | ‘ 
23 a ee .. |4°3 | 40 | 4°26] 4°32, 4:16 4°08] 4:07, 4°21] 4°32, 4°43) 3.9 | 4:0 


Discognathus phryne, Annandale. 


? 1897. Discognathus variabilis, Nikolsky, Ann. Mus. Zool. Ac. Sci., St. 
Petersburg, II; p. 347. 
1899. Discognathus variabilis, Nikolsky (? in part), 7bid., IV, p. 412. 
1906. Discognathus variabilis, editorial note to Regan, Fourn. As. Soc. 
Bengal, il, p. 8. 
1919. Discognathus phryne, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus., XVIII, p. 70, 
pl, mes; appl isi tis 2. 


1920.| N. ANNANDALE & S. LL. Hora: The Fish of Setstan. 167 


The arrangement and structure of the pharyngeal teeth is 
very similar to that in D. adiscus, but they are a little stouter. 
We find in two specimens of a large series that small vestigial 
scales occur on the sides of the abdomen. In these specimens 94 
scales, including the vestigial ones, can be distinguished below the 
lateral line on each side. We have not found any trace of scales 
on the dorsal line. Fully formed scales are shorter in proportion 
than those of D. adiscus and differ in being ornamented with radit 
below as well as above the nucleus. The circular striae are more 
numerous and less regular and the scale has a much more reticulate 
appearance. ‘The following are the measurements of a large scale 
from just above the lateral line:—length 1:8 mm.;_ breadth 
2mm.; distance of nucleus from base 0°3 mm. The specimens of 
which measurements are given in the table are from the Pishin 
district of northern Baluchistan, except No. 6, which is the type- 
specimen from Seistan. 

This species has been generally confused with D. variabilis, 
Heckel, from which it differs, according to the description given 
by Gunther,' in the size of the eye as well as in its naked ventral 
and dorsal surfaces. It is impossible, therefore, to discuss the 
geographical distribution in detail. D. variabilis has been recorded 
from several localities in Syria, Mesopotamia and eastern Persia. 
Records from the last district probably refer to D. phryne. 

D. phryne is, with the exception of Nemachilus montanus 
(McClell.) (not the N. montanus of Day), by far the most abundant 
fish in the small streams of the Quetta and Pishin districts of 
northern Baluchistan at altitudes between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. 
It is not found in very rapid water but lives in thickets of Chara- 
ceae and other algae growing on a muddy bottom. Its food con- 
sists mainly of soft filamentous algae. At the Kushdil Khan 
reservoir it was observed in winter to collect in large numbers in 
pools into which water of a comparatively high temperature was 
flowing from underground sources into the outflow. The colour is 
much darker in very clear than in muddy water. In Seistan the 
species occurs in irrigation channels and probably (fide Nikolsky) 
in the reed-beds of the Hamun. Several specimens were captured 
by the members of the Seistan Arbitration Commission in the 
delta of the Helmand. 


! Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Vil, p. 71 (1868). 


168 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII 


Discognathus phryne, Annandale. 


Measurements (in millimetres). Number of Fin-rays, Scales and 


Proportions. 
1, Total length (including couse) «+ | 53°0) 63°3| 46°4) 55°3] 74°7| 660} 70°0) 38-0) 39°0 
2) Length of caudal «+ | 12°4/14°4| 10°7| 12°6] 150} 15°0| 12-0] g*0| 8:0 
3, Greatest depth of body .. +e | 9°2)12°9} 8-8! 10°6) 12°8/ 13°2/ 15°0| 8°3] 8:5 
4| Length of head Bie ea MUOzs a2 Z 6] 114] 13°8] 12°8] 13-0] 8:1] 8:0 
5| Width of head aie -» | 779] 10°3] 6:8] 8:1] 10°9| 9°6) 11°70] 6:0] 6:0 
6) Length of snout ne -- | 4°0) 5°4| 3°8) 4°8] 5:0) 5°3} 5°5| 2°8] 3°0 
7| Diameter of eye se ser! 222) 38°C!) 12-0} 223199 3°0) §2:0| 3732-0, meen 
8) Interorbital width xe ~» | 5°0] 6:8) 4°6) §°1| 6:0) 5°38} 6°8/ 4:0] 4°0 
9| Longest ray of dorsal .. -- | O70} 12°2} 8-0} 8°6)11°9/12°5) 12°9] 775! 6rx 
to) Longest ray of anal a sol! FAR 10's| 7°5| 8°6) 9:7) 975] 10°0| §°2} 5°3 
11) Length of pectoral aie -+ | 9°9/T1°5| 8:0] 9°7| 1175) 10°4) 11's] 8-0] 66 
12} No. of branched rays in dorsal ae er Sas ae MANLY fen heel a ke Naveen, oh fe | 3 
13} No. of branched rays in anal 50 [8 5 5 5 5 Baines Ralesl 
14) No. of scales in L.L. . 24935 1533 | 986340] 40.135 3/030" shales 
15|No. of scales in transverse line | | 
above L.L. 54 | 42 | 23 | 42 | 2 | 53) 68 | 58 | 33 
16) No. of scales in transverse line be- | 
tween LL. and ventral -- | 42 | 5% | 53 | 53 | OF | 43 1 53] 53 | 52 
17 $ . +s -- | 4°27) 4°4|4°33|4°37 4°98 4°4 | 5°81| 4°22| 487 
18 4 5°76| 4°9| 5°27| 5°21 5°83) 5°0 | 4°66| 4°57) 4°58 
9 d ar Se -+ | 5°05) 4°38! 4°83) 4°85 5°83] 5°15) 5°38] 4°09| 4°85 
20 4 as ike -- 14°77| 44148 | 4°95, 4:0 | 4°41] 4°03] 4°05] 3°81 
1-Caudal | ! 
i —— at ++ 13°27) 3°4| 3°33) 3°37] 5°98) 3°4 | 4°81) 3°22] 3°87 
| 1-Caudal | 
Bal are ore ae ++ [4°41 3°8| 4:05} 4'02| 4°66} 3°80) 3°86] 3°49) 3°64 
1-Caudal | 
23 Se are 3°86) 3°7| 3°71| 3°74) 4°32| 4°0 | 4°5 | 3°58| 3°87 


Subfam. SCHIZOTHORACINAE. 


This subfamily is distinguished from the Cyprininae by the 
Salmonoid facies of the species, their small or degenerate lateral 
scales and the presence of an anal sheath consisting of folds of 
skin covered with greatly enlarged scales arranged in two parallel 
longitudinal rows. 

We have already commented on the two most noteworthy 
features of the Schizothoracinae, their geographical isolation and 
their superficial resemblance to the Salmonidae. It may be well, 
however, to state more precisely the characters wherein this 
resemblance consists, and those whereby the subfamily is linked to 
the Cyprininae. 

The resemblance to the Salmonidae is entirely external. It 
consists in the graceful but powerful frame of the fish, their small 
scales and usually silvery, often spotted colouration. ‘The close 
relationship to the Cyprininae is manifested in the whole structure. 
One or two important features of agreement may be noted. The 
air-bladder in both subfamilies is normally very large and is divided 
into a larger posterior and a smaller anterior region by a transverse 


ee al 


1920.) N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 169 


constriction. The pneumatic duct is long and slender and opens 
into the posterior part of the bladder just behind the constriction. 
In Schizothorax zarudnyt the weberian ossicles closely resemble 
those of so different-looking a Cyprinid as Labeo rohita, to which 
one of us has recently devoted special study in reference to these 
bones. The alimentary canal also is closely similar in the two 
fish. 

There is a strong probability that the Central Asiatic sub- 
family is related to the Labeo section of the Cyprininae, from 
which it has been derived as a result of isolation in mountain 
rivers flowing rapidly at high altitudes. An important factor, 


TExtT-FIG. 5.—Scales of Schizothoracinae. 


a. Dorso-lateral scale of Schizothorax zarudnyt, X 17%. 
6. Dorso-lateral scale of Schizocypris brucei (adult specimen), X 373. 
c. Anal scale of Schizopygopsis stoliczkae from Siestan, X 17}. 


noticed by Stewart! in Tibet, is probably the necessity for long 
and arduous migrations at different periods of life. 

The three species (each of a different genus) that live in the 
lowlands of Seistan are either identical with or very closely related 
to mountain forms, but, as we have already noted, their isolation 
in a depression has not produced any very noteworthy structural 
modification of a general kind, perhaps because it is still too recent. 


1 Stewart, Ree. Ind. Mus., V1, p. 73 (1911). 


170 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


Genus Schizothorax, Heckel. 
1888. Schizothorax, Herzenstein, Fische, p. 96, in Wiss. Res. Przewalski 
Central-As. Reis.,; Zool. (II (2). 
1916. Schisothorax, Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Civ, Stor. Nat. Genova, 
@), VALI spe 123- 

The genus is well represented in the Helmand system, whence 
Vinciguerra (loc. cit.) has given the names of the following five 
species :—S. brevis, McClell., S. macrolepis (Keys.), S. minutus, 
Kessler, S. ritchianus (McClell.), and S. zarudnyit (Nikolsky). There 
is also in the Indian Museum a mutilated skin from the old collec- 
tion of the Asiatic Society of Bengal labelled ‘‘ Schizothorax 
labiatus, McClell. Helmund R., Afghanistan.’’ The specimen is 
too imperfect to substantiate the identification, but the species to 
which it has been assigned is too distinctive to have been readily 
mistaken. We have thus six species known from this river- 
system, but except S. zarudnyi all these species have been found 
only in the upper waters at comparatively high altitudes. S. 
zarudnyt, moreover, is so closely allied to S. intermedius, McClell., 
a species common in some parts of the mountains of Afghanistan, 
that there can be little doubt as to its having originated as an 
isolated race of that species. 


Schizothorax zarudnyi (Nikolsky). 
(Plate Sk V5 figs: 1-2), 
1897. Apiostoma sarudnyt, Nikolsky, Ann. Mus. Zool. Ac. Sct., St. 
Petersburg, II, p. 346. 
1899. Schizothorax zarudnyt, id., ibid., IV, p. 409. 

This species is, as we have already stated, very closely allied 
to S. intermedius, McClell.,' but the following differential charac- 
ters are constant in a large series of adult specimens :— 

1. The paired fins are much smaller. 

The branchial isthmus is longer and narrower. 
The scales are slightly enlarged at the base of all the fins, 
especially the dorsal and the anal. 


Oo 


Among the races assigned to S. intermedius by Herzenstein 
S. zarudnyi comes nearest affinits, Kessler (op. cit., p. 113, pl. xiv, 
fig. 1), but the snout is more pointed and the paired fins smaller 
and there are no greatly enlarged scales behind the opercular 
border. 

These differences may seem to some ichthyologists of no more 
than racial value and we have already admitted that we believe 
S. zarudnyi to have originated from S. intermedius as a local race. 
The differences are, however, so constant that we consider it more 
convenient to regard the Seistan fish as now specifically distinct. 

The colouration varies with the environment. In muddy 
water the back and fins are pale olive-green, the sides faintly 


| Herzenstein (op. cit., p. 106) does not regard the form identified with 
McClelland's species by Day as the forma typica, but see Giinther, Cat. Fish. 
Brit. Mus. 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Setstan. 171 


tinged with green and the belly pure white. In the yellow water 
of the reed-beds the back and sides are much darker, sometimes 
almost black. A few silvery scales are always present on the 
back and some adult males have the fins reddish, and dull red 
specks scattered on the dorsal surface. 

The following measurements of a large male and female were 
taken from freshly killed fish :— 


g oe 
Total length ve a 460 mm. 490 mm. 
Length of head :. oe OZ, TOO! 
Length of-eye  .. ie biter ea Tle Su 
Length of caudal fin... TA) 4s TAS a a 
Depth of body .. ae) 86 86 


”) 


TExT-FIG. 6.—Pharyngeal teeth of Schizothoraz zarudnyt, 


a. Lateral view of lower pharyngeal bone (x 3). 
b. c. Internal view of the bones of two sides in another specimen 
showing lateral variation. 


There are great differences in appearance, proportions and 
lepidosis between young and adults of this species, the chief 
being that the young are more slender, more silvery, have very 
much larger dorsal and caudal fins and eyes, and more imperfectly 
developed scales. In specimens between 56 and 66 mm. long we 
can detect no scales at all, while in those from 91 to 95 long they 
are much smaller in proportion than in the adult and are devoid 
of circular striae. 

In specimens up to 123 mm. long the caudal fin occupies 
about 1 of the total length, while in the adult it occupies only 
from :to.1. In specimens up to 93 mm. long the dorsal fin is 
considerably deeper than the body; in one 123 mm. long it 
is almost as deep, but in the adult it is distinctly less deep. The 


Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XVIII, 


172 
greatest depth of the body is contained from 8: to 6: times in the 
total length in young fish less than 124 mm. long, while in adults 
it is contained only from 45 to 5: times. In the proportions of 
the total length without the caudal to the greatest depth the 
differences are smaller, the figures 6 to 61 for fish under 67 mm. 
long, 5 for individuals between 90 and 123 mm. long and from 
4 to 48 in the adult. The proportion between total length and 
length of head is less different at different ages, and that between 
head and body (without the caudal) and head is still more uniform, 
practically no difference existing between young and adult. In 
length of eye in that of head there is a great difference. In speci- 
mens between 56 and 92 mm. long it is roughly from 2s to 3s 
times, in one 123 mm. long 4s times, in the adult 71 to 8 times. 
In the young the spiny dorsal ray is also proportionately more 
slender and bears relatively much longer denticulations than in 
the adult. In the young these denticulations have a spiny char- 
acter. 


Measurements (1m millimetres). 


Schizothorax zarudnyt, Nikolsky. 


Number of Fin-rays, Scales and 


Proportions. 
| 
Total length (including | | | 

caudal) »- 155°7 |65°9 |91°3 | 92°I| 122°5| 320°3) 421-0) 285°5| 252°0 
2| Length of caudal 11°4 |13°r | 18-15] 81:4 24°1| 47:2) S9°1| 46°5| 4371 
3| Greatest depth of body 6:7'| 8:9 |14°4 | 14:5} 19°5| 67°0 83:2 56° 5) 45°3 
4| Length of head T1254| 1454) 13280) V1O+7 2562172509355) 64°9' 55°4 
5| Width of head 6:2 | 7°7 | 10°12] 11°3| 14°2| 39°8| 5179] 35°5| 20° 
6} Length of snout PAE BOG | 26) 6'1 7°8\ 24°5| 30°4| 22°7) 18°6 
7| Diameter of eye ScOnle4iesnl mbar BT) 5s) Oss 12°C] OnllanaAg 
8) Interorbital width Steal eScAS| inact en| ania 6°7| 8:9] 24°8| 29°2) 20°2] 17°6 
9| Length of caudal peduncle. | | 
10| Depth of caudal peduncle .. | 
11} Longest ray of dorsal 12°25/14°6 |19°5 | 20°4| 24°6| 47°5|- 65°3! 46°0, 41°7 
12} Longest ray of anal 7-5 |°8:45|12°6 | 12°0| -17°3] 41°z| °58°O) 37-7 33'S 
13} Length of pectoral .. | 8:4 | 8:9 | 13°6 | 13:5] 18-1} 42-2) 62°3] 3670) 36°8 
14] No. of. branched rays in| pares WG . 

dorsal oe fies) 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 
15| No. of branched rays in| 

anal So fe 85 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 
16| No. of scales in L.L. BARU SO all genet nim al a .. | 107 | 110 | 108 | 106 
17| No. of scales in transv erse | 

line above L.L. aa 354 354 | 334 | 333 | 328 
18) No. of scales in transverse 

line below L.L. ae SS ae a3 ..- | 34% | 354 | 354 | 349 
Hg 3 49 | 5:0 | 5:0 | 5:0 | 5:08) 6:78| 771 | O't4) 00 
20 1 83 | 7:4 | 6°34 6°35| 6:3 | 478 5°00) 5.0 | 5°5 
21, t 485 455| 485 47 | 48 | #£4| 45) 44) #5 
22| + g2 | 2°82] 3°68| 3°86] 4°75, 777 | 778 | SO] 7°43 

| - | 
23 a | 3°66] 3°88] 3°74, 3°9 | 376 3°87) 37 | 377 
| = .- 3°99 | #0] 3:9; 4:0 | 4:08) 5°78 | Saeed 
25) — 2 676 | 5:9) 5:0)| 5:0) -5- |. £07 4iga) 4 Ol) ae 
| | 


a ea a a ae Es Se ee 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Setstan. 173 


Schizothorax zarudnyi is a gregarious fish abundant in an 
adult condition in the pools among the reed-beds of the Hamun- 
i-Helmand. ‘The roe appeared to be ripe in specimens examined 
in December. Its food, unlike that of most species of its genus, 
consists largely if not exclusively of other smaller fish. From the 
fact that only adults were taken in the Hamun in winter, it is 
probable that the young make their way up stream in the flood- 
season. ‘They are extremely abundant in pools left in the beds of 
effluents of the Helmand or in the desert near these effluents, 
when the floods subside. It seems probable that the specimens 
we have examined represent the growth of at least five years and 
that sexual maturity is not obtained in a shorter period than 
four years. If this be so, the young of a year old are about 56- 
66 mm. long; those of two years from gt to 95 mm., and those 
of three years about 125 mm. 

Both large individuals from the Hamun and young ones froni 
small pools were infested by an immature Trematode, which was 
encysted in their skin, in the superficial muscles, in the membrane 
of the fins and on both the outer and the inner aspect of the 
operculum. ‘The cysts were of a blackish colour and resembled 
those shown in Herzenstein’s figure of S. alttor (op. cit., pl. xii, 
fig. 1). We hope that a description of this parasite will be pub- 
lished later. 

S. zarudnyi is the only fish commonly caught for food in 
Seistan. A description of the methods by which it is caught will 
be found in the appendix to this paper. 


Schizopygopsis stoliczkae, Steind. 
1888. Schizopygopsis stoliczkae, Herzenstein, op. cit., p. 191, pl. xvi, 
eee 


IQII. Siiisony corse stolicskae, Stewart, Rec. Ind. Mus., VI, p. 73, 
pl. iii, figs. 1, 2 and 3. 

Specimens from Seistan, whence we have examined a faily 
large series, apparently represent a dwarfed race. The largest we 
have seen is only 195 mm. long, and even smaller individuals 
are sexually mature. The two types of head referred to by 
Stewart (op. cit.) as the stoliczkae and the sevewzovi type are 
both found, without intermediates, in our series, but the former 
occurs only in two specimens and is not correlated with differences 
in proportions. We can discover no structural peculiarity in this 
low-altitude race except that there is a regular double row of large 
scales extending forwards in continuity with the anal sheath as 
far as the base of the ventral fins. Traces of a similar forward 
extension of the sheath are, however, to be found in certain speci- 
mens from high altitudes in the large collection from various. 
localities preserved in the Indian Museum. We do not, therefore, 
consider it advisable to give the Seistan fish a racial name. 

The series was collected by the Seistan Arbitration Commis- 
sion in the delta of the Helmand. The species has a wide range in 


£74 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo~u XVHE, 


the headwaters of streams and rivers on the north side of the 
Himalayas and Hindu Kush, but except in Seistan is only found 
at high altitudes. 


TeExT-FIG. 7.—Adult specimen of Seistan race of Schtzopygopsis 
stoliczkae (reduced in size). 


1920.]| N. ANNANDALE & §. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 175 


Schizopygopsis stoliczkaec, Steind. (Seistan). 


Measurements (in mallimetres). Number of Fin-rays, Scales and 


Proportions. 
; | 
1) Total length (including | | | 
caudal) 6 6 chon lumeh 202 ier? 7O 3| 179°8] 122°6, 195-2! 141°2| 133°2| 107°4 
2| Length of caudal -- | LO°L] 13°6} 14-4] 26°3] 2275) 32:8] 2609] 26-3] 20:0 
3| Greatest depth of body Q'O, 12°4| 12°4| 24°6| 23°0 32°4) 24°5| 25-4] 17°3 
4| Length of head 116] 15°) 15°3| 34°1| 26°8' 39°6| 28-3] 30:2| 22-4 
5| Width of head .. 5°7| 83] 7°5| 20:0 14°09) 24°8| 17:6] 17-0] 11-1 
6 Length of snout 3°93! 4°7| 49] 9°8} 8:2) 12:0] 9-2) 95/2 10-2 
7 Diameter of eye 375] 4:2|- 4°5) 6:8). 5:2] 7:8) 6:2) Grol - 5-2 
8 Interorbital width oe | eS Gi 5°OF  S5C| OB eRe | or2-sIk Ste Toole are 
9, Length of caudal peduncle. PD Me she 20°0; 16:2) 23°0) 9°8| 17°1! 
10} Depth of caudal peduncle. 3:0; a; S26)= = 7eO} 10:0) Aca ie So 
Ir, Longest ray of dorsal 9:3} I1°5| 12°0| 25-4| 19:3) 34:2! 25-0l 23-0] 16:0 
12) Longest ray of anal 676) 9°2| 8:2) 24°6)-18°2| 29°3| 24-0! 24'1, 15:4 
13) Length of pectoral Sf EGS, PG WOR! Pe olh srs}Oh iy acti 22°7| 22°0} 1598 
14, No. of branched rays in | | 
dorsal <ts iSahcey eel Rey a ee 8 Sea 728 8 7 8 
15, No. of branched rays in|} | | 
_ anal .s rp lenesn iia “Sara ne S ce’) dSMeal pada Se Ge. thn Gigs leans 
10, 3 SCE LON AON nO. arber si scO 5 IS 5-25) 57051 a 5737: 
17 ; FO | SROol eS OT Rie gs) Sagas O02 |» i775 wh e2g| Gre 
18 t 425), 4:05) 40 | S227 4508 4G) |) 5:0M|  F-4T or 
19 ; ide (ped On 1 Airlie a Onl SiO ees sO 7s esol eas ah le atom 
1-Caudal | a é | | | 
20 ems Se ee al SHIR | ESBS OS'S) EAs | AO GN G42 4°05) 4°37 
| 1-Caudal | | | 
a1) Shae -. | 4°00) 4°56, 4:5 | 6°2 | 4°35) 5°09 4:66] 4°2 | 5:05 
1-Caudal an 
22! Sy 56 -- | 3°02) 3°74) 3°05] 4°5 | 4:03) 47 | 4°03) 3°54] 3°9 
ro) | 
23 <b se ee aon ge eearo Ee 2°27 Do guile. 2"gi. fen Diglehoard 
} | } ‘ 


Schizocypris, Regan. 
1914. Schizocypris, Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8), XIII, p.-262. 

As Mr. Regan’s description of the genus is very short, it may 

be redescribed as follows :— 

Schizothoracinae with an inferior mouth, which is broad, 
transverse and protrusible. The snout projects beyond the 
mouth. The integument of the upper jaw is thin and 
adherent and there is no labial fold. The lower jaw is also 
covered with thin adherent integument. It is prominent 
but not very sharp and has a spatulate appearance from 
below. The barbels are absent or vestigial. The scales 
are confined to the sides and those of the scapular region are 
not greatly enlarged; those of both scapular and lateral 
regions are subcircular with radii well developed both above 
and below the nucleus and completely surrounded by 
circular striae, which are interrupted by the radii; the 
anal sheath is well developed. The dorsal fin is moderate, 
with 8 unbranched rays in the type-species; the last 
undivided ray is bony and denticulate. The form of the 


176 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo.. XVIII, 


body is graceful, somewhat compressed, but with a rounded 
belly. The caudal peduncle is distinct. The pharyngeal 
teeth are broad and differ from those of Schizothorax, 
in possessing a flat tip; the dental formula is 2°3°4|4°3°2. 


In general facies this genus resembles Schizopygopsis, from 
which it is distinguished by the presence of small scales on the 
sides and the absence of large scales from the scapular region. It 
differs from Schizothorax in the structure of its mouth and pharyn- 
geal dentition and in having the abdominal surface naked. 


Schizocypris brucei, Regan. 
(Plate XaVeane-53): 
1914. Schizocypris brucei, Regan, loc. cit., fig. B. 


The specimens before us are young and closely resemble 
immature specimens of Schizothorax zarudnyt, with which they 
were confused in the field, in appearance. Allowing for parallel 
differences in proportions we see no reason to regard them as 
distinct from the type-species of the genus, but as these differences 
exist, we think it best, in order to avoid any possibility of con- 
fusion, to describe our specimens in detail. The largest of 
them is nearly 48 mm. long without the caudal. 

The dorsal profile is considerably and regularly arched, the 
ventral profile slightly convex. The greatest depth of the body 
is contained from 44 to 43 times in the total length without the 
caudal. The caudal peduncle in the largest specimens examined 
is twice or nearly twice as long as deep. ‘The head is large, its 
length being contained from 3? to 4 times in the total length 
without the caudal. The snout is short and bluntly rounded and 
appears somewhat swollen in lateral view. It is slightly longer 
than the eye and less than half as long as the part of the head 
behind the eye. ‘The upper surface of the head is flat. The nos- 
trils are situated close to the eye, a little in front of it. The eye 
is large, its length being contained 3 to 3} times in that of the 
- head and about 14 times in the interorbital width. The are of the 
mouth is verv wide and the posterior end of the maxilla is situated 
in front of and considerably below the eye. The fins are large 
and the dorsal is higher than the body; its margin is straight but 
slanting. The pectoral is shorter than the head. The scales 
appear to be fully developed and those of the lateral agree in 
structure with those of the scapular region. They are slightly 
broader than long, slightly sinuate at the base and differ markedly 
from those of Schizothorax in that the nucleus is situated at about 
a third the length of the scale from the free margin. The circular 
striae are about 7 in number. The radii are widely spaced and 
are considerably longer below than above the nucleus. The scales. 
of the scapular region are of moderate size. They become gradu- 
ally smaller from before backwards. Those on the upper parts 
of the sides, bordering the rather narrow naked dorsal region, are 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 177 


very smail, but those at the base of the dorsal fin are a little 
larger. Those near the lateral line are of intermediate size. 
Towards the tail all the scales are poorly developed and hard to 
distinguish. The lateral line runs along the middle of the caudal 
peduncle, then slopes gradually downwards, proceeds along the 
body well below the middle and finally slopes upwards just behind 
the head, along the top of which it runs to the tip of the snout. 
The colour is bluish above and silvery on the belly and sides 
There are sometimes a few small black spots on the latter. 


Schizocvpris brucer, Regan. 


Measurements (tn millimetres). Number of Fin-vays and Proportions. 


| 
I | olen length of body (cereal exclud- | 
. he 2 |47° |42°4 |42°7 | 32:5 |23°8 
2 | eae depth of body .. | 96 LOG Oe | Or7z Fak 4°7 
3 Length of head ir <ioe HE *Oe hr 2c 2e asia Oe la See 6°3 
4 | Width of head = Nee heer 7°8 FIO) | 78) GROh almese3 
5 | Length of snout ae SO ms htem all ZGr | “2177 B01 2°5 OG 
6 | Diameter of eye me 56a) Sea 9 Exe 3°2 3°3 27, 1°8 
7 | Interorbital width ive eno 5°O 4°3 4°2 ioe 225 
8 | Longest ray of dorsal .. Cie | TESTE ME NNEOSS «ao NeLy S| EOP || OPS} | (SAE 
9 ae anal: ae Sr |i) oO th iO) bE 8-2 CcOmealn 4635 
10 Length of pectoral ais Sigil! CRO) Oot a 823 81 5°8 4°5 
11 | No. of branched raysin dorsal ..| 8 oo || ot 8 8 8 
12 ,, anal 38 5 5 Sas eas 5 
13 Length of caudal peduncle Oil ees 7mm OrS GIy. =|: (SPs 5:0 
14 | Depth Gs caudal peduncle ie e328 Arbre |i Ai Owes AROn. eee 17] 
15 3 A ee sy eal ae el ey ee Se 
16 4 SV BOS | BOL 37S SOS G82" ares 
17 e BIST PSION B25) SSS ie ele 
18 | a3 21 1°75 | 1607) FOG i | 2°4 2°04 


The species was described from Waser in the eastern 
district of the great mass of mountains that occupies northern 
Baluchistan anda great part of Afghanistan. A few specimens, the 
longest of which is 48 mm. long without the caudal, have been 
found among large numbers of young Sehizothorax zarudnyt 
and of Discognathus adiscus from the following localities :—a small 
pool connected in the flood-season with an effluent of the Helmand 
in the desert a few miles south of Nasratabad; pools in the 
dry bed of the Randa stream in the same district a few miles 
N.E. of the ruined city of Jellalabad ; a still, reedy channel leading 
from the Hamun-i-Seistan on the road between Lab-i-Baring 
and Nasratabad. The largest specimens, which were alone di. 
tinguished at the time, are from the last locality. Their fin-rays 
were extremely brittle and unfortunately the caudal was broken 
in all those obtained but one. These specimens were collected 
in November and December, 1919. 

Since drawing up this description we have been able to com- 
pare our specimens with one of the types of the species, received in 
exchange by the Z.S.I. through the courtesy of Mr. Tate Regan 
and the Trustees of the British Museum. Though the proportions. 


178 Records of the Indian Museum. Wor. VEE 


are naturally different we can find no structural difference. We 
have now no doubt that the specimens are specifically identical. 


Family COBITIDAE. 


The Loaches, which share with the Trout Carp (Schizothora- 
cinae) the waters of the Central Asiatic plateau, are represented in 
those of Seistan by two genera, both of which also occur in 
Central Asia. One of these genera, Nemachilus, has a wide range 
in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions. Its single representative 
in Seistan is apparently dimorphic and occurs also in the head- 
waters of all the rivers immediately north and east of the great 
Himalayan range and the Hindu Kush. This species is N. stoli- 
czkae (Steind.), of which we regard N. stenurus, Herz. as a dimorph. 
Apart from Seistan, N. stoliczkae is found only at high altitudes. 

The other Cobitid genus that occurs in Seistan is here des- 
cribed as new. It is closely related in structure to Nemachilus 
but possesses one peculiarity, a soft dorsal fin, which differentiates 
it from most other Cyprinoidea and, together with its peculiar facies, 
constitutes it an apparent link between the Cobitidae and the 
Siluroidea. We discuss the structure, function and homology of 
this fin below. The genus, though strangely enough the soft fin 
has not been recognized as such hitherto, occurs also in Turkestan, 
and it is possible that Persian species assigned by Nikolsky to 
Nemachilus may also belong to it. ‘he new genus is represented 
in Seistan by two species. 


Genus Nemachilus, v. Hasselt. 


The one Seistani species (N. stoliczkae) of this genus belongs 
to alittle group of Central Asiatic forms in which the Tibetan 
N. lhasae, Regan, and N. yarkandensis, Day, from Turkestan 
must also be included. This group is distinguished by the elongate 
form of the body and especially by that of the caudal peduncle. 
The fins are large, the eyes small, and scales are as a rule absent. 
The ventral surface is rounded and not specially adapted for 
purposes of adhesion. These fish are inhabitants of rapid but 
turbid streams, as a tule at very high altitudes. We have 
unfortunately no information as to the circumstances in which the 
Seistan form occurs. 


Nemachilus stoliczkae (Steindachner). 


1866. Corbitis stoliczkae, Steindachner, Verh. Zool. bot. Ges. Wein., 
XVI, p. 793; pl. xiv, fig. 2. 

1878. Nemachilus stoliczkae, Day, Fishes of India, II, p. 620, pl. cly, 
fig. 10. 

1888. Men asuiten stoliczkae, Herzenstein, op. cit., p. 14, pl. 1, figs. 2-5 ; 
pl. iii, figs. 1-4; pl. vii, figs. 3-4; pl. vill, fig. 12. 

1888. Nemachilus stenurus, id., op.cit., p. 64, pl. 1, fig. 1. 

1906. Nemachilus stenurus, editorial note to Regan, Four. As. Soc. 
Bengal, il, p. 8. 

1908. Nemachilus stolicskae, Lloyd (in part), Rec. Ind. Mus., \1, p. 341. 


1920.) N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. v 
9 79 


1916. Nemachilus stolicskae, Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Stor. Nat. 
Genova, XLVII, p. 146. 
1916. Nemachilus stenurus, id., op. cit., p. 148. 

The Indian Museum possesses a large number of specimens of 
this species from Tibet, northern Kashmir, Turkestan and Seistan. 
Among those identified by various ichthyologists as N. stoliczkae 
we find, however, four forms, one of which is without doubt speci- 
ficaliy distinct. This is N. dhasae, Regan, from Tibet; we give 
measurements of a series of specimens but need not discuss the 
species further. The remaining three forms that have hitherto been 
placed together under the name Nemachilus stoliczkae in India 
belong in our opinion to that species and are identical respectively 
with the typical form (of which we have a topotype), the variety 
leptosoma of Herzenstein and N. stenurus of the same author. All 


Text-FiG. $.—Alimentary canal of Nemachilus stoliczkae from Seistan. 


A. From specimens of stoliczkae type. 
B. From specimens of stenurus type 
a and 6 =cut ends of alimentary canal, 


the specimens from Seistan were identified by Mr. Tate Regan as 
N. stenurus, but we find among them two distinct forms, one of 
which we regard as identical with /eptosoma, while the other we 
retain under the name sfenurus, which, however, we do not accept 
as specific. 

The first specimens we examined were those from Seistan 
labelled N. stenurus. ‘The existence of two forms among them 
was visible on inspection and was on the whole confirmed by 
measurements. ‘There were seven specimens in this series, as to 
four of which we had no hesitation in accepting Mr. Regan’s 
identification. Of the remaining three specimens, one was an 
adult female, one a breeding male and one very young. The male 
agrees well with Herzenstein’s figures of N. stoliczkae var. lepto- 
soma, the female rather with that of var. froductus. As the main 
difference between these two supposed varieties and sfenurus lies 


r8o Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


in their broader and thicker caudal peduncles, and this was pre- 
cisely the difference noted in our specimens, we assigned them 
provisionally to N. stoliczkae var. leptosoma, in which it seemed 
necessary to include the var. productus. 

On dissection we found that the alimentary canal of one of 
these specimens agreed with Herzenstein’s figure (op. cit., pl. 
viii, fig. 12) of that of N. stoliczkae. The alimentary canal of 
an individual of the same lot but belonging to the stenurus type 
differed considerably, as may be seen from fig 8. 

There seemed, therefore, at this stage in our investigation to 
be good grounds for considering the two forms, though occurring 
together, as specifically distinct. On examining the other speci- 
mens in the collection we found two (from a stream running into 
the Ram-T'so lake in Tibet) that clearly belonged to the stenurus 
type. These had been confused with N. lhasae, which had also 
been assigned to N. stoliczkae. We also found two specimens from 
Leh belonging to this (the true stenurus) type. 

We dissected one of the two Tibetan and one of the Ladakh 


TexT-FI1G. 9.—Pharyngeal teeth of Nemachilus stoliczkae from Seistan (xX 25). 


specimens of stenurvus—to find that in both the alimentary canal 
agreed with that of the individual of the leptosoma type from 
Seistan. Subsequent investigations proved that the structure of 
both types was variable in this respect. The one constant differ- 
ence that we could find between sfoliczkae (s.1.) and stenurus lay 
in the proportions of the caudal peduncle, and even these varied, 
as may be seen from our table of measurements, within wide 
limits. It does not, therefore, seem justifiable any longer to 
maintain stenurus as specifically distinct. The difference is neither 
sexual nor racial, but appears rather to be a true instance of 
dimorphism affecting both sexes. 

If this be so, the apparently discontinuous range of N. stenurus, 
which is recorded only from the mountains near the source of the 
Yangtse, from Scardo north of Kashmir and from Seistan, becomes 
explicable, for N. stoliczkae has the widest range of any member 
of its family in Central Asia. 

Another point to be considered is the status of the differ- 
ent varieties of N. stoliczkae recognized by Herzenstein (loc. cit.). 
We find it difficult in the large collection before us to assign some 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. Ll). Hora: 


The Fish of Setstan. 181 


of the specimens definitely to any one variety and considerable 


individual variability undoubtedly exists. 


Some specimens from 


northern Kashmir and Turkestan, however, as well as those from 
Unfortunately we 


Seistan certainly belong to the var. leptosoma. 


have no very precise data as to their provenance. 


Nemachilus stoliczkae (Steind.) (Seistan), 


Measurements (in millimetres). 


Number of Fi%-rays, and 


Proportions. 


20 


Ls oe oe ee | 
O ON ANAPW YH OW ON Quid wd 


Total length (including secre 


Length of caudal 

Greatest depth of body. 
Length of head : 
Width of head 

Length of snout 

Diameter of eye 
Interorbital width : 
Length of caudal peduncle 
Depth of caudal peduncle onl 
Longest ray of dorsal se | 
Longest ray of anal 

Length of pectoral : 

No. of branched rays in dorsal 
No. of branched rays in anal 


SP BIR Ol pol 


TCandal 


2 
1-Caudal 


b 


3 
1-Caudal 


’ 


| 775 | 


Stenurus type. 


Stoliczkae type. 


RS) 


Or 
4°64 | 


fou ! 
7550 
12°4 
IO‘! 
15'6 
8°38 
6°6 
2'9 
3°9 
15°5 
2°4 
12°3 
TO*5 
13°3 
8 
5 
6°04 
742 
48 
Sy oie 


5°04 


O19 | 


4'03 | 
6°40 | 


+ 


90°7 | 


16'0 
13°6 
17°O 
10°3 


4°39 


97 


Leal 


ot 


“Ss 
SIX OP NwWUmNMBWNO 


MAOwWNHKHYK RU 


14°5 


_ Lt 
NOWW AnOUG 


4 
Syl wt WN 0 NF ved OO 


Records of the Indian Museum. IVOT: 26 Eiie 


Nemachilus lhasae, Regan (Tibet). 


Measurements (in millimetres). Number of Fin-rays, and 


Ow BOW bd nw 


Oo ON 


fe) 


| 


Proportions. 
| | 
| rotal length (including oad) . | 86:2 | 78:0 | 76°83 | 55°0 | 84°5 | Goro 
Length of caudal sje G26 elt 52 alae 372 9°2 | 14:0 |) 12°0 
| Greatest depth of body eo | LTO] aaLOsO 933 FLOM! ele? ales 
| Length of head : te (0 e72OR) O20. el Othe aD Ol| mete Onl mena 
Width of head me ea selorg HOE 308 6:25\) 70:8 Os 
Length of snout a ea IO <0) 6:2 6°3 4°6 6:6 70 
Diameter of eye ie cs Acasa 4°0 228), ass 2018 
| Interorbital width a le 2a Omleeact AsO tn :2:8. | = Aro aleameres 
“Length of caudal peduncle Sel Moy ii oy | wisteyel| Ao Zo) PAS) 
| Depth of caudal peduncle are eee 2S ie 22°Oa| 92:0] 2e7ul eae 
Longest ray of dorsal .. seo OLLASO)| eS On ach: On|selOrAs | eLO‘Omlemiare 
Longest ray of anal er Fe LOSO 9°3 | 1075 Gis MW WOH6) 8°8 
| Length of pectoral 3 iene ASO\s| alebeSoale Ute 20 iael O20) a eel 4 coe meteo aro 
|No. of branched rays in dorsal .. 8 8 8 8 Sv ames 
| No. of branched rays in anal a Bem is 5 5 5 5 
3 ve | @O553) | 0°00.) 57°81, \\ 5°97.) C795 ieee 
3 FEB) G8. | OIB5 78515 Sie ener 
t 507 | 487 | 465 | 4°74 | 4°94| 4°45 
age SSON SO. NAT IGA | LAT eae 
1-Caudal 
aes 558) | 0.90 | ACT 85:97) 5°35 | ees, 
a 6:63.| 668 | 683 | 6541 629 | 5-81 
1-Caudal | | 
Stee - were | PALS (Si8S) | sa O5 jy hele aay, 
abe 6°3 OxO7 AN 5 7725) 1020 6°3 5G! 


Genus Adiposia nov. 


The genus may be described as follows :— 
A genus of Cobitidae consisting of elongate species often of 


large size, with or without minute scales on the body, 
without a suborbital spine, with six barbels, with an 
elongate band-shaded soft fin between the dorsal and the 
caudal. ‘The head is relatively smal!, flattened and 
Siluroid in appearance; the eye small, dorsal in post- 
tion, of an elongate oval form, and surrounded by a 
free circular fold; the nostrils are situated close to- 
gether in front of the eye, the posterior nostril being 
elongate and slit-like; the mouth is large, ventral in 
position and provided with tumid lips and with 6 
barbels. The fins are relatively small and all the rays 
cartilaginous. The lateral line is well developed and 
extends ail along the middle of the body in a straight or 
sinuous line. The pharyngeal bones are delicate and bear 
a single series of sharp slender teeth. The air-bladder, 
which is entirely enclosed in bone, is dumbell-shaped 
and transverse and consists of a pair of spherical lateral 
chambers connected by a tube. It possesses a short, 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 183 


slender, tubular diverticulum, which is directed back- 
wards from the transverse tube and ends in a vesicle. 
Type-species: Nemachilus macmahoni, Chaudhuri. 

Three species are known definitely to belong to this genus 
namely Nemachilus longicauda, Kessler,! N. rhadinaeus, Regan ® 
and N. macmahoni, Chaudhuti,? but the most important generic 
character (the adipose fin), which is by no means conspicuous in 
badly preserved specimens, has escaped the notice of most 
ichthyologists. Chaudhuri in his description of A. macmahoni 
refers to it as a fold of skin, but sections show that it is a structure 
of much more definite nature. We give a full description of it 
below. 


TEXT-FIG. 10.—Type specimens of Seistan species of Adiposia (reduced). 
a. A. rhadinaea (Regan). 
b. A. macmahoni (Chaudhuri). 


Two of the three species at present known are from Seistan, 
the third (A. longicauda) from Turkestan. 

The soft dorsal fin of Adiposta. ‘This fin has the form of a ridge 
arising a short distance behind the dorsal and extending to the base 
of the caudal, in which it finally disappears. The anterior margin 
slopes upwards and backwards gradually, the posterior extremity 
is ill-defined. Its reiative height varies in different species, and 
even to some extent in different individuals of the same species. 
In A. macmahoni the height may be as much as 2 of that of the 
caudal peduncle in well-preserved specimens, but in shrivelled 


! Kessler, ‘‘ Pisces’’ in Fedtschenko’s ‘‘ Reise in Turkestan,’’ p. 38, pl. vi, 
figss 22, 295(1374): 

2 Regan, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal, II, p. 8 (1906). 

® Chaudhuri, Rec. 7nd. Mis., VII, p. 341 (1909). 


184 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XVilly 


specimens it is considerably less. The fin is strongly compressed 
from side to side. 

In vertical section an external wall and an internal core can 
be distinguished. The former is further divided into two regions, 
an external epithelial and an internal connective-tissue region. 
The epithelial region, which is similar to the integument of the body, 
consists mainly of several layers of small, more or less flattened 
and rectangular cells with well-defined cell-walls and relatively 
large oval nuclei. Among these are scattered numerous large 
ampulliform gland-cells. In the lower parts of the fin the gland- 
cells are situated mostly at the base of this-+region and constitute 
almost a separate layer, the small epithelial cells between them 
being somewhat elongated by pressure. ‘Towards the crest of the 
ridge, however, there is no definite separation of the kind and the 
gland-cells are often on the surface. 

The inner region of the outer wall consists of fibrous connec- 
tive tissue, the fibres of which run completely round the fin in 
a horizontal and vertical direction, separating it below from the 
dorsal muscles, over which the epithelial layer does not extend. 
This region is similar to that lying immediately below the 
epithelial covering of the body. 

In the region of the connective tissue and between it and that 
of the epithelium numerous longitudinal blood vessels can be easily 
distinguished. They have a narrowly oval outline in vertical 
section, with the longer axis vertical in the side-walls, and trans- 
verse above the dorsal muscles. : 

Just inside the region of connective tissue of the side-walls 
there are a number of small lucunae containing granular masses of 
black pigment. These have no definite walls. 

The central core consists of a mass, conical in vertical section, 
of highly vacuolated tissue. ‘The vacuoles are of relatively large 
size and irregular shape. No cell-walls can be distinguished but 
the spaces are surrounded by deeply staining protoplasm contain- 
ing numerous minute oval nuclei. The contents of the vacuoles 
are gelatinous and appear to havea reticulate structure when 
stained with haemotoxylin. This structure, however, may be an 
artifect. 

Comparatively large blood-vessels make their way obliquely 
upwards from the body into the central core of the soft fin at 
intervals and ramify in it. We have not been able to trace any 
connection between them and the smaller lateral and basal 
vessels. 

In the upper part of the fin irregular fibrous strands, probably 
representing degenerate ceratotrichia, can be distinguished in the 
centre of the core. They run ina vertical direction, and are 
connected with a kind of reticulation formed by the walls of the 
vacuoles. 

In external appearance the adipose fin of Adiposia closely 
resembles that of the soft fin of the Siluroid genus Amblyceps, 
which is assigned by recent authors to the family Sisoridae. We 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Setstan. 185 


have not been able to examine specimens of this genus preserved 
for histological investigation, but we have cut sections of the 
fin in a species of the related genus Glyptosternum. We have also 
sectioned the primitive dorsal fold in post-larval specimens of a 
species of Nemachilus. Before discussing the significance of the 
structure in Adiposia, we must give a brief account of that found 
in these other fish. 

In young specimens of Nemachilus evezardi recently ob- 
tained by Major R. B. Seymour Sewell at Khandalla and easily 
recognized by the presence of a nasal barbel', the primitive dorsal 
fin-fold remains in a very interesting condition until the fish is 
at least 1 cm. long. The dorsal fin of the adult is already well- 
developed and has its rays fully formed, but behind it the fold 
persists, extending into the caudal. The anterior extremity of 
this vestige of the fold slopes gradually upwards and backwards. 
Externally the whole structure has a very close resemblance to the 
same parts of Adiposia. Indeed, the only differences to be noted 


TExT-FiG. 11.—Young of Nemachtlus evezardi 1 cm. long showing 
dorsal fold. 


on a superficial examination are that the ceratotrichia are well 
developed, especially in the posterior part of the fold, and that 
the fold also extends forwards from the caudal on the ventral 
surface. 

We have examined a large number of species of Nemachilus 
from both mountainous regions and comparatively level country 
for traces of the persistence of this condition. In all we finda 
short, compressed pad, clearly representing the posterior part of 
the fold, at the base of the caudal fin both above and below. 
In some this fold persists as a ridge to a comparatively late 
age. In N. savona it is in this condition in a specimen 39 mm. 
long. 

In vertical sections of the dorsal fold in a young N. evezardi 
about I cm. long we find the structure essentially similar to that 
of the soft fin of Adiposta, but, as might be expected, the tissues 
are less differentiated. The outer wall is thinner, its gland-cells 
are more numerous and its epithelial cells less distinct. The layer 


L Jordan and Fowler regard this as a generic character but we are not pre- 
pared to accept their view. 


186 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


of fibrous connective tissue is thin and incompletely differentiated 
and is not continuous across the dorsal muscles at the base. The 
central core has a more fibrous structure with smaller, ill-developed 
vacuoles. The blood-vessels are few and poorly developed. 


We have cut sections also, as already stated, of the adipose 
fin of a species of Glyptosternum (Sisoridae) from the base of the 
Nilgiri Hills for comparison. It would be out of place in the 
present context to discuss the structure of this fin in detail. We 
may say here, however, that an inner core of highly vacuolated 
tissue, closely resembling that found in the fin of Adiposia, 
occupies the centre of the structure and that its wall consists of 
two regions, the structure of both of which differs considerably 
from that of the homologous regions in Adiposia. Our figures (pl. 
xvi, figs. 5 and 6) and the explanation of them will illustrate the 
differences sufficiently for our present purpose. ‘These differences 
are so considerable that there can be little doubt that the adipose 
fin of Adtposia, though (like that of the Siluridae) derived 
from the posterior part of the primitive dorsal fold, has origi- 
nated independently, probably in correlation with the assumption 
of the habit of burrowing in the mud of bodies of water liable 
to desiccation, and there aestivating or hibernating until the return 
of the flood season. 


It seems to be clear, therefore, that the soft fin! of Adiposia 
is a highly specialized structure, but that it is fundamentally 


homologous with the posterior precaudal part at the primitive 
dorsal fold. 


The function of this fin in Adiposia is possibly a double one. 
It may act as a reserve food-supply for a voracious fish that must 
occasionally be deprived of food for considerable periods. It 
probably is also an accessory breathing organ, to judge from its 
copious blood-supply, of use when the fish is buried in damp 
mud. 


Relationships of Adiposia.—From what has been said above 
it is, we believe, clear that A diposia is closely related to Nemachilus. 
Its resemblance to the Siluroidea is probably more apparent 
than real, being due mainly to the persistence, doubtless secon- 
dary, of a post-larval character and its slight modification. We 
have no reason to think that Adifosia is an extremely primitive 
form, as would be the case if the persistence of this one juvenile 
character were accepted as evidence of direct affinities with the 
ancestral forms of both the Cyprinoidea and the Siluroidea, for, 
indeed, the dorsal fin-fold is an ancestral feature common to al 
fishes, and even to other groups of primitive vertebrates. In all 
fish with a dorsal fin of any kind part of it persists and the adipose 
fin of Salmonidae is not supported by other evidence as proof 
of close affinity with the Siluroidea. 


| A recent investigation of well-preserved specimens of Acanthophthalmus 
pangia proves the existence of a similar structure in that species. 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. Ll. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 187 


Adiposia macmahoni (Chaudhuri). 
(Plate XV. fie-t4 5 Plate XVIE fies. r & 22) 


1909. Nemachilus macmahoni, Chaudhuri, Rec. Ind. Mus., III, p. 341. 
As Dr, Chaudhuri’s description was based ona single speci- 
men not in the best condition and bleached by exposure to light, 
we give a fuller account of the 
species here, based on numer- 
ous well-preserved examples. 
The fish is one of the largest 
of its family, attaining a length 
of over 27 cm. and has an ex- 
tremely Siluroid appearance 
owing to its elongate form, 
broad, flattened head, and 
small, dorsal eyes. The dorsal 
profile immediately behind the 
head is somewhat convex, but 
both the dorsal and ventral 
profiles behind the dorsal fin)  Trxr-rre. 12.—Lower surface of head 
are neatly straight and parallel of Adiposta macmahont (X ?). 
and the greatest depth is con- 
tained 62 to a little over 8 times in the total length without the 
caudal, 74 to nearly Io times with the caudal. The head is 
depressed considerably below the profile of the back and its upper 
surface slants downwards from behind almost in a straight line ; 
it is broad and flat and its length is contained from 4% to 5 
times in the total length without the caudal. The specimens 
in our series seem to fall into two groups, in one of which 
the head is less flat and narrower than in the other. Possibly 
the difference is sexual, for it seems to be correlated with 
slight differences in the form of the vent, but the sexual 
organs are quite undeveloped in the fish recently collected, 
while they have been removed from the type. The length of the 
eye is contained 52 to 82 times in that of the head, but is rela- 
tively much less in the adult than in the young. ‘The pupil is 
nearly in the midddle of the head. ‘The nostrils are nearer to the 
eye than to the tip of the snout. ‘The barbels are subequal in 
length, which varies considerably ; the two anterior pairs usually 
reach to a vertical line from the nostrils if pressed backwards, and 
the posterior pair to one from the anterior border or middle of the 
eye. The cleft of the mouth does not reach as far back as the 
front of the eye. The anterior lip is continuous and minutely 
tubercular, the posterior lip smooth and widely interrupted in the 
middle line. The branchial isthmus is short and narrow. The 
chest and abdomen are flat. The pectoral fin, which is rounded 
at the tip, is much shorter than the head. The dorsal in quite 
young fish is higher than the body, but in the adult lower ; it is 
situated nearer the tip of the snout than the base of the caudal. 
The ventral and anal are short, the caudal of moderate length, 


188 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo.. XVIII, 


rounded, truncate or slightly emarginate at the tip. The caudal 
peduncle is compressed and from 1: to 23 times as long as deep. 
We can detect no scales 
on the young fish, but in the 
adult minute but well-deve- 
loped scales are present on 
the sides of the posterior 
part of the body. They are 
longitudinally oval in form 
and have the nucleus near 
TEext-F1G. 13.—Scale of Adiposia macma- the base. Their sculpture 
hont (X 35), from base of dorsal fin. consists of numerous coarse 
radii and circular striae, both 
of which occur all round the scale. ‘The scales are rather widely 
separated and buried in the skin. They appear to be much less 
conspicuous than in A. Jongicauda, Kessler. 
The following note on the colouration was made from living 
fish :—‘“* The loach is variable in colour ;- it is usually very pale 
olivaceous, fading to silvery white on the belly and irregularly 
spotted on the head and upper part of the body with a darker 
shade. In some individuals the head and body are pale yellowish 
without markings or with a faint marbling. All the fins are 
tinged with dull red, which is more intense on the caudal than on 
the others, and are as a rule obscurely marked with small dark 
spots. There is always a narrow dark vertical stripe at the base 


Text-riG. 14.-~ Pharyngeal teeth of Adiposta macmahoni (x 7). 


of the caudal on its peduncle.” This description, which refers to 
young and half-grown fish, applies equally well to specimens 
carefully preserved in formalin and spirit, except that the olivace- 
ous and yellowish tints have faded and the reddish colour dis- 
appeared from the fins. 

The pharyngeal bones have the form normal in the Cobitidae, 
but are perhaps a little straighter than usual. There are about 
12 teeth arranged mainly on an almost semicircular prominence. 
In the adult they are all shorter than the smallest diameter of the 
bone and (except those at the lower end of the series, which are 
very small) almost subequal in length, those in the middle of 
the prominence being slightly enlarged. In the young the central 
teeth are relatively longer. 


1920.]| N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 189 


The posterior diverticulum of the air-bladder is longer than 
the diameter of the transverse tube from which it originates and 
its vesicle is longer than the stalk. 


Type-specomen No. F 1222/1 (Z.S.1.). 

The type-specimen was obtained by the Seistan Arbitration 
Comunission in the delta of the Helmand. Young and half-grown 
fish were found in great abundance in small pools in the bed 
of the Randa stream near the ruined city of Jellalabad some 
12 miles north of Nasratabad, at the end of November. They 
were huried at a depth of some inches in the mud at the bottom 
of the pools and seemed to be in a healthy and active condition, 
although the water was extremely foul and most of the Cyprinidae 
in the pools were dead or dying. The species is evidently 
predaceous, for remains of other fish were found in the stomach, 
and also those of a may-fly larva (Palingenza') that occurred in 
large numbers with it. Other members of the same association 
were the crab Potamon (Potamon) potamios gedrostanum and the 
molluses Corbicula filuminalis and Lamellidens marginalis rhadt- 
naeus. 


Adiposia rhadinaea (Regan). 
1906. Nemachilus rhadinaeus, Regan, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal, iI, p. 8. 


We again quote Mr. Regan’s description of the species to 
facilitate reference. 

“Depth of body 7 to ro in the length, length of head 5 
to 51. Depth of head s to+ its breadth, which is 13 
to 12 in its length. Diameter of eye 71-8: in the length 
of the head and 1: to 2 in the interorbital width. 
Snout longer than postorbital part of head. Cleft 
of mouth extending to below the nostrils ; lips moder- 
ately thick, smooth, the lower interrupted medianly ; 
six batbels; outer rostral barbel as long as the 
maxillary barbel, extending to or beyond the nostrils. 
Scales entirely wanting. Dorsal III 7, its origin nearer 
to tip of snout than to base of caudal; free edge 
of the fin convex. Anal II-III 5. Pectoral extend- 
ing about 1 of the distance from its base to the base 
of the ventral. Ventrals 8-rayed, originating below 
the anterior branched rays of the dorsal, extending 
1—s of the distance from their base to the origin of 
anal. Caudal slightly emarginate. Caudal peduncle 
2 to 23 as long as deep, its length 5 to 51 in the length 
of the fish. Large, oblong or rounded dark spots on 
the back and sides; dorsal and caudal with some 
small dark spots, lower fin pale, immaculate.” 

“Three specimens 165-260 mm. in total length.”’ 


1 See Gravely, Rec. Ind. Mus. XVIII, p. 137 (1920). 


190 Records of the Indian Museum. fVoL. XVIII, 


‘“ Perhaps allied to N. sargadensis, Nikolski, 1899, the descrip- 
tion of which is somewhat deficient in structural details, but the 
colouration appears to be too different to justify identification.” 

The largest specimen referred to by Mr. Regan is now in the 
collection of the Zoological Survey of India and is labelled as 
the type. Our measurements 
do not altogether agree with 
his, for we estimate the length 
at a little over 268 mm. We 
find that the head is contained 
in the total length without 
the caudal fin 51 times and the 
greatest depth of the body 
nearly 11 times. ‘The differ- 

ws ence is evidently due to the fact 

TEXxT-riG. 15.—Air-bladder of Adiposia that the specimen is some- 

AUERIMETS SE what curved. We have taken 

_ The bladder has been dissected out of the mean length of the mea- 
its bony capsule but remains 77 sitz un at 

pressed against the lower surface of the surement obtained along the 

vertebral column. outer and that along the inner 

side. 

We have failed to find any trace of scales. ‘The air-bladder 
differs from that of A. macmahoni in that the posterior diverticulum 
is extremely short and its vesicle minute. 

The fish is readily distinguished from its ally by its more 
elongate body, smaller, narrower and less flattened head and by 
marked differences in outline. These differences are shown in 
our figures of the types of the two species. 

All the specimens known were obtained by the Seistan Arbit- 
ration Commission in the delta of the Helmand. 


1920.| N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: 


Measurements (in millimetres). 


The Fish of Seistan. 


Adtiposia from Seistan. 


Igl 


Number of Fin-rays and Proportions. 


load 


wn 


Total length eae 
ing caudal) 
Length of caudal 
Greatest depth 
body .. 
Length of head 
Width of head 
Length of snout 
Diameter of eye 
Interorbital width 
Longest ray of dorsal. 
Longest ray of anal.. 
Length of pectoral .. 
No. of branched 127s) 
in dorsal . 
No. of branched- rays: 
in anal.. 


of 


ae Hap Cole bo 


1-Caudal 


1-Caudal 


3 ? 
1-Caudal 
i +) 


8 

& 

wn 

Ss 

gs 

Adiposia macmahoni Sia 
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Tacs) LSe2i" TOO) 1750 ‘5! 18°5| 19°2| 20°6| 30°0| 37:8 
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7] 7 7 7 7 7 f 7 7 

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SRS 95 Oa OOS 7 18)| C7 O:7n) G47 Or maraaes 
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AaG- 205) 55) B05) OftS| 57) 5°71) S4e io Ges 

| 
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By 2 lee | 
4°57| 4°86) 4°93| 418| 4°43) 42 | 439) 5°07) 4°21) 5°51 


192 Records of the Indian Museum. [WoOtee<Vabhie 


APPENDIX. 


NOTE ON THE FIST hea i OF rie) ger ees 
OF THE HELMAN D ANDO N TEGE AU258 2Oms 
SHAPED - RAETS OF BULRUS EES ay 
LAN DA ASAGN DD sos aot Age 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B. 


There can be few lakes that bear fish and have a piscivorous 
population on their shores in which the fisheries are of a more 
simple character than those of the Hamun-i-Helmand. Apparently 
only one species the Seistan Trout Carp (Schizothorax zarudnyt) 
is pursued, and only one method of capture used. 

Schizothorax zarudnyt is a fish that bears considerable but 
quite superficial resemblance to a trout and reaches a length of at 
least 49 cm. (19 inches). The flesh has an excellent flavour, 
distinctly ‘‘ trouty,’’ but is so full of little sharp, stiff bones that 
it is difficult for a European to eat it. The Persian officials in 
Seistan get over this difficulty by cooking it in vinegar, which 
softens the bones; but the fishermen of the Hamun adopt no 
such refinements. They split and gut the fish and insert a small 
sharpened stick into the head from below. They then make a 
small fire of tamarisk-roots and arrange the fish round it in a 
circle, supported in a slanting position on the sticks. The flesh is 
thus slowly roasted. 

There is some evidence that the flesh of the Seistan Trout 
Carp, and especially its roe, may be poisonous to those not accus- 
tomed to it. We ourselves experienced considerable intestinal 
disturbance and colic after eating a dish of the roe, and all our 
assistants and servants except one were taken ill in a similar but- 
more violent manner on another occasion after eating the flesh. 
In both cases the fish was perfectly fresh. The people of Seistan, 
however, know of no such inconvenience. 

Before describing the method of catching this fish it is neces- 
sary to say something about the fishermen and their neighbours 
on the shores of the Hamun-i-Helmand, and about their peculiar 
rafts of bulrushes. I take the opportunity also to publish a note 
on a similar craft used in India. 

The shores of the Hamun are inhabited by two different types 
of people,'! both more or less nomadic, but occupying different 
positions in Seistani society. They are called Gaodar (Gavdar) or 
Herdsmen and Saiyad (Saiad) or Hunters. The Herdsmen are 
regarded as eminently respectable people, but the Hunters, pro- 
bably as a result of ancient Buddhist influence, are practically 


! For a fuller account of these people see Tate, Sezstan, pt. IV, pp. 297 
and 303. 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S$. I. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 193 


mu !' 


= 


l 


I 
= 
=S 


lL 


f, 


‘i 
2z 


( AN 
| 
1 i 
\ 
| 
\ 
} 


iN} : 


i | 


iis 


TExT-¥1G. 16.—Shaped rafts of bulrushes and sedges from Seistan and India. 


A.B. Tutin used by fishermen and fowlers on the Hamun-i-Helmand. 
C. Bindi used by fishermen of the Sirkula tribe, Roorkee, U.P. 


194 Records of the Indian Museum. [VorL. XVIII, 


outcastes. Both tribes pay an annual rent to the Persian govern- 
ment for the right to exercise their respective callings on the 
shores or in the waters of the lake; the Herdsmen for the pastur- 
age of their cattle, the Hunters for the privilege of fishing and 
fowling. 

One of the most striking features of the Hamun-i-Helmend is 
the vast reed-beds by which it is surrounded. These vary in 
extent with the season, but a considerable part of Seistan is known 
as the Naizar or reed-country. ‘The reed-beds provide a livelihood 
to both the Herdsmen and the Hunters. The reeds are of three 
kinds. The most abundant is a form of Phragmites communis, the 
common large reed of the fens of England. The dwellings of both 
tribes are constructed of this plant. Next in abundance is the 
sedge Scirpus littorvalis, on which the herdsmen feed their cattle, 
and finally we have a bulrush (Typha augustata), out of which 
both tribes construct the only craft known on the lake. 

No true boats are used in Seistan, but their place is taken by 
curious ‘‘shaped”’ rafts that may almost be called skiffs and may 
be compared with the Papyrus skiffs! of ancient Egypt and the 
rafts used in Babylonian times in the delta of the Tigris and 
Euphrates. These rafts are made entirely of the leaves o' the 
bulrush tied together in bundles. For purposes of transport com- 
paratively stout and cluinsy structures® of the same kind are 
employed, but these can only be used in the flood-season and we 
did not see them. I shall, therefore, describe only those used in 
fishing and fowling on the Hamun. 

These are slender and even elongate structures each made of 
three bundles of fresh bulrush leaves and about six times as long 
as brcad. Omitting the rail or bulwark along the top, they are 
about twelve times as long as deep. ‘The bulrush leaves are 
bent upwards at both ends and the bundles are so arranged that 
the craft tapers slightly behind. A rail is added on each side 
above in the form of a thinner bundle of leaves. The rafts are 
about ten feet long and one anda half feet broad. They are 
constructed in the following manner (pl. xvii, fig. 2) :— 

The leaves are cut off close to the roots so as to be as long as 
possible. All those that are in any way damaged are rejected 
and the narrow tips are cut and thrown away. Perfect leaves 
thus treated are then laid out on the shore parallel to one another 
and arranged in bundles in such a way that there are a few more 
at one end of the bundle than at the other and that the broader 
bases of the leaves are all at the same end. Ropes are meanwhile 
manufactured from other leaves of the same plant, two men or 
boys doing this by twisting the leaves together in opposite direc- 
tions by hand. When the thick bundles and ropes are ready each 


1 For an illustration see King’s History of Babylon, p. 201, fig. 44 (1915), 
and for Egyptin references Erman's Life im Ancient Egypt (trans. Tsiard), 
Pp. 470 (1894). ‘ 

_ 2 For illustrations see McMahon, Geor. fourn., XXVIII (1906), and: Tate, 
Setstan. : 


1920. | W. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 195 


bundle is bent upwards at either end and fastened together by 
five bands of rope. Considerable force is exercised in doing this 
as the stability of the craft depends largely on the tightness of the 
bundles. After the rope has been twisted round the leaves two 
men pull the opposite ends taught, pressing against the bundle 
with their feet and sitting on the ground. The leaves are left 
free at two ends of the bundle, but the unbound part is consider- 
ably longer at the stouter end (at which the basal part of the 
leaves is situated) than at the narrower, the stern of the embryo 
raft. Three bundles are thus formed for the body of the raft. 
They are then tied together, in the same way as each was made 
individually, by some nine bands of leaf-rope. Two of these 
bands are situated near each end, and those at the thick end or 
prow are tied very tight so that the cut basal ends of the leaves 
expand somewhat. Finally the rail, a thinner bundle of leaves, 
is added above at each side for comfort’s sake to a passenger, and 
the whole is finished by a short cross-bundle in front between the 
two rails. 

A craft of this kind has a curious resemblance, when unloaded 
in the water, to an Egyptian mummy (pl. xvii, fig. 1). It can 
carry a passenger as well as a boatman, who propels it by punting 
with a pole of tree-tamarisk, but can be used only in very calm 
water. It is only on exceptionally still days that the Hunters or 
the Herdsmen, who also use rafts of the kind in moving about 
the reed-beds, venture into the open lake upon them. They are 
temporary structures, depending as they do for their buoyancy 
entirely on the air enclosed in the air-cells of the leaves, which 
soon decay. ‘Their life is never longer than two months; in hot 
weather less. The Seistani name for them is ¢uéin, from tut, a 
bulrush. 

My figures in the text (figs. 16A & B) are drawn from a model 
made at Lab-i-Baring on the Hamun. It is accurate except in two 
points,—(1) the leaves employed are of full size and are therefore 
relatively larger and less numerous than would be the case in the 
real raft, and (2) the protuberance at the prow is rather too small 
(cf. the photograph on pl. xvii). 

On our return journey from Seistan I happened to show this 
model to Mr. W. J. Good of the Calcutta Port Trust, who was 
then a member of the Indian Reserve of Officers. He told me 
that he had seen similar rafts in the Roorkee district of the United 
Provinces and kindly put me into communication with Lt.Col. A. 
Cunningham, R.E., who has supplied me with the following interest- 
ing note, with the photograph reproduced in fig. 3 of plate xvii, 
and with the model from which text-figure 16C has been drawn. 

“The floats used for fishing in the jheels, of the Solani and 
Ganges Rivers kadiy near Roorkee, U.P., about 20 miles to the 
South East, are about 8’ long by 2’ diameter, and the cross section 
is circular, flattened at top and bottom a little. ‘They are solid, 
made of the local jheel grasses, the bundle being tied round at 
several places with rough ties of grass. The prow is formed into 


196 Records of the Indian Museum. DVO? XV lade 


a point and turned up, the model shows this fairly well. They 
carry one man, or even two at a pinch; the man stands up and 
the Bindi is propelled by a pole of common bamboo, etc., about 
10 to 12 feet long. They are crank and difficult for a European 
to manage. ‘The fishing is with a spear or a circular casting net. 

“They are used by the ‘‘ Sirkulas,”’ a Mahomedan tribe, num- 
bering about 50 families perhaps. They say they came from Sind 
from the Manchar Lake, about three generations ago (about 1820 pro- 
bably) ; my informantsays it wasin the time of his grandfather, and 
he himselfis an oldman of 60 about. They came because there were 
wars in Sindh. This is corroborated, as they speak Sindhi, and 
know all the different kinds of duck by the Manchar Lake names, 
(I have been to the Manchar and know these names myself, having 
kept a note of them). They do not intermarry with the dwellers 
in the kadir villages, who are Hindus of the low caste of Chumar : 
the chumars do not fish, nor do they use Bindis for other purposes. 
So presumably the ‘‘ Sirkulas” brought the shape of the Bindi 
with them from Sindh, however I do not remember seeing any 
Bindis on the Manchar ; perhaps nowadays the wooden dugout of 
the present-day Manchar fishermen has ousted the Bindi there. 

‘*’The Bindi is made preferably from the flat dark-green rush 
called here Patera the Typha latifolia: this rush floats even when 
newly cut, and it will last in a Bindi for about six months, before 
it rots. ‘This rush is fairly strong and stiff when bound up into a 
Bindi, and the best Bindis are made of it. The round green reed, 
called Tukla locally, the Cyperus alterifolius, is also used at times 
for making Bindis, it also floats when freshly cut, but the dis- 
advantage of it (compared to Patera) is that it is not strong nor stiff, 
like Patera, and the Bindi made of it does not last so long, and 
will not bear so much handling. The Latin names have been got 
from the Superintendent, Government Botanic Gardens, Saha- 
ranpur, to whom specimens of the grasses were sent. 

‘The Patera grows in water, to about 12 feet high, while the 
Tukla only runs to about 5 feet at most, it also grows in water. 

“One of the characteristic points of the shape of the Bindi is 
the way the prow, or front end, is brought to a point and 
sticks up about a foot or so above the level of the top surface of 
the body of the Bindi. The grass in the Bindi is tied round at 
intervals with wisps of the same grass made into a rough sort 
of rope.” 

In many parts of the Madras Presidency rough bundles of 
reeds are used as rafts by fishermen, especially in the large tanks and 
reservoirs that are a feature of southern India; but these bundles 
are not shaped and I have heard of no instance of shaped rafts 
being employed in Perninsular India. The fact that the people 
who use them in the United Provinces are of Sindi origin is inter- 
esting as suggesting an actual historic connection between their 
manufacture in those provinces and in Seistan, for Sind is in many 
respects a country intermediate between India and Persia. As to 
the possible but more remote connection with Babylonia and 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 197 


Egypt, I have not the learning necessary for a discussion on the 
subject The dindi (fig. 16C) is of simpler construction than the 
tutin, but may be degenerate. 

Except their bulrush rafts and punting poles the only imple- 
ment used in fishing by the fishermen of the Hamun is a cotton 
net of simple structure. The cotton is grown locally. The net is 
oblong in shape, about 4 feet deep and 100 feet or more in length. 
The mesh is very large, allowing all small fish to escape. 

In setting the net it is tied above and below at each end to a 
pointed tamarisk stick. The pointed end of these sticks is struck 
into the bottom of the lake and they are arranged in such a way in 
reference to the direction of the wind, and therefore of currents in 
the water, that the net forms a semicircle with its lower edge on 
the bottom and its upper edge slightly above the surface. It is 
set in a position into which it is easy to drive the fish, often in an 
open channel in the reed-beds or, in exceptionally calm weather, 
just outside one in the open lake. In the former case the channel 
is usually one that leads out of an open pool and suitable pools 
are apparently kept free of reeds for the purpose. 

A considerable number of fishermen, each on his tutin, take 
part in driving the fish into the net. They arrange their rafts 
in a wide semicircle opposite that of the net and gradually con- 
verge towards it, beating the water with their poles and ululating 
with the peculiar sound conventionally transliterated ‘‘ halelujah”’ 
in English religious works. They show great skill in directing 
a few vigorous downward strokes with their poles to give the rafts 
an impetus, and then striking the water before the forward move- 
ment ceases. The fish are gregarious and apparently rather 
sluggish and are easily frightened into the net in this manner. 

When the semicircle of rafts has completely converged on 
that of the net the supporting sticks are pulled out of the water 
simultaneously by the men in the two end futins, and turned up 
horizontally in such a way that the net is transformed into a bag. 
The two ends are then drawn at the same time into the two 
tutins, which approach one another as rapidly as possible. 

Unlike Indian fishermen the Saiyad despise all small fish and 
do not attempt to catch any much less than a foot in length. 

We saw a similar method of fishing used in small channels 
leading out of the Hamun. Here the net was much shorter and 
was stretched right across the channel. ‘The men who used it 
waded in the water. 

The only other method of fishing that we saw in Seistan was 
employed in pools ii the dry stream-bed of Randa near the ruined 
city of Jellalabad. Here a rude and particularly clumsy kind of 
trawl was used. The net was a large bag, with considerably 
smaller meshes than that employed in the Hamun. It was fas- 
tened to one horizontal and two upright poles. The horizontal 
pole lay on the bottom of the pool and the two upright ones were 
held in position by means of ropes attached to their upper ends. 
Four men worked this trawl, two pulling ropes attached to the 


198 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


ends of the horizontal pole and two other ropes fixed to the 
upper end of the upright ones. The four men waded along in the 
water. The awkwardness of the apparatus lay in the fact that 
unless all of the men moved. together the upper ends of the two 
poles fell towards one another and the net refused to work 
properly. 

We were told that around Nasratabad the favourite method 
of fishing was for men to go out into the swamps in the flood- 
season with swords and to strike at any fish they saw. Our 
informant, who had had great experience of the country, said 
that quite large fish were killed in this way. 

In the Helmand River in the east of Seistan a more elaborate 
method of fishing is apparently practised. The following notes 
are taken from an official document. The author of part of these 
notes believes that the fish captured belongs to the genus Schizo- 
thorax. ‘There is a singlespecimen of S. zavudnyi in thecollection of 
the Seistan Arbitration Commison from the Helmand, but the largest 
fish caught by the author of the note weighed 12 lb., which is much 
heavier than any fish seen in the Hamun-i-Helmand. Schizothorax 
would seem to be the only genus of fish captured for food in Seistan. 


“‘SEISTANI FISHING NET. 


““The net used is a bag about 7:0’ long 9” diameter at the 
lower end and 6’X 2’ wide at the mouth. The net is held open by 
a pair of poles or prongs tied together at one end to make a fork. 
The fork pivots on a post on the bank. ‘The fisherman sits on 
a platform. Across the mouth of the net fine lines are arranged, 
the lead string of which the fisherman holds in his hand to get 
timely warning that a fish has entered the net, whereupon he 
pulls the net up and removes the fish. The fork that holds the 
net is held in position by the strain of guy ropes. The net is 
placed on the bank near a pool at a place where there is a swirl or 
back water so as to intercept the fish moving along the edge of the 
bank ; sometimes it is put up across the mouth of a small canal ; 
a shallow channel is sometimes obstructed by a line of stakes 
along which the fish move till they come to the opening where the 
net is arranged and are caught. Below the Band-i-Seistan the net 
is arranged opposite a small leak in the Band and fish moving 
along the down stream face of the band are swept into the net by 
the force of the current at this place. 

The favourite spots for the big fish are in the slack back 
water close to where the backwater meets the force of the down 
flowing current. At such places the small fry, which at certain 
seasons work their way up the river in thousands swimming as 
close to the bank as possible, are checked by the current and fall 
au easy prey to the larger fish which feed on them ravenously. 

The autumn is the best season for fishing operations of this 
nature. The season of I903 commenced as early as August and 
continued for several weeks. In 1904 it was late in September 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & 8. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 199 


before fish moved and not really well till October. March and 
April are also sometimes favourable if the river is not very full, 
but the fish do not move so freely then as inthe autumn. During 
the hot weather (May-August) the fish are quite out of condition. 


“Tist oF TECHNICAL TERMS CONNECTED WITH THIS 


Name tn Roman 


Characters. 


' Bok 
Ruka 


Shingalak 
Achcha 
Asak 


Dahan-i-ruka 


Dast kash 


Pish-ab 


Sarkash 


Maraka 


Pasao 


Mushtak 


Kisa 


METHOD OF FISHING :— 


Explanation of the meaning and use of the 
word. 


Platform on which the fisherman sits. 

Each pole or prong of the frame of two 
tamarisk poles fitted together to form 
a fork which holds the net. 

The strut which separates the two poles 
or prongs of the fork. 

A forked pole, here used as supports to 
the platform. 

The piece of wood which acts as a trunion 
or pivot on which the fork of the frame 
revolves. 

The taut rope which holds together the 
ends of the poles of the fork. 

The rope by which the frame and net are 
raised or lowered, and by which it is 
maintained in its position in the water. 

The rope that stays the frame against 
the whirl of the water, as the net is 
usually set up where there is a swirl in 
the water. 

A stay that is used when there is a strong 
wind. 

The string which passes to the finger of 
the fisherman, and to which are con- 
nected the lines which are spaced 
across the mouth of the net. The fish 
touches these lines and warns the 
fisherman of its advent, whereupon he 
lifts the net out of the water. 

The line which holds the upper side of 
the net, and is made fast to a stake 
on the bank. The lower side of the 
net is made fast to the lower pole. 

A ring in the rope on the dahant-rika 
where the maraké and pdsdo are made 
fast. 

The pocket of the net. 


1 The Baluchis use the same words in describing the parts of this fishing net 
except that for & they say Barmak and for Kisa they say Kito. 


200 Records of the Indian Museum. IWiOLeexXViliR 


Gislak a .. The line on which the fish that are caught 
are strung by the gills and kept in 
the water. 

Shak a .. The handle of wood at the other end of 


the gislak for attaching it toa stake 
on the bank; it also acts as a needle 
to pass the line through the gills of 


the fish. 
Dam sf .. Is the net. 
Dam-i-boki .. .. This whole arrangement for catching fish. 
Charkhab.. .. Swirling back water forming a suitable 
place to set up this arrangement to 
catch fish. 
Mahigir = .. Fisherman. 
Mahi a Ree ents) oe 
LITERATURE. 
Alcock, A. W. .. Report on the Natural History Results of the 
Pamir Boundary Commission (Calcutta: 
1808). 
Annandale, N. .. “Notes on Fresh-water Fish, mostly from 


the Satara and Poona districts.” Rec. 
Ind. Mus. XVI, pp. 125-138 (1919). 
“Report on the Aquatic Fauna of Seistan. 
Geographical Introduction.” Rec. Ind. 
Mus. XVIII, pp. 1-16 (19109). 
““Notes on Fish of the genus Discognathus 
from India and Persia.’’ Ibid., pp. 65-78 
(919). 
Annandale, N., and Prashad, B. “‘The Molluscs of the Inland 
Waters of Baluchistan and of Seistan.’’ 
Tbid., pp. 59-62 (1919). 

Berg, L. S. .. ‘Description of a new species of Garra (= 
Discognathus) from Eastern Persia,’ 
Ann. Mus. Zool. St. Pétersbourg, XVIII, 


p. lxi (1913). 


Blanford, W. T. .. Zoology and Geology of Eastern Persia, II 
(London: 1876). 

Bleeker, P. .. Atlas Ichthyologique III, p. 24 (1863). 

Bloch, L. .. ‘*Schwimmblase, Knochenkaselp und 


Weber’scher Apparat von Nemachilus 

barbatulus Giinther.’? Jenatsche Zeit- 

schrift. XXXIV, pp. 1-64 (7900). 
Boulenger,G. A. .. The Fishes of the Nile (London: 1907). 


Ay .- Cat. Fresh-water Fish Africa I (London: 

| 1909). 
Bridge, T.W.,and.. ‘Contribution to the Anatomy of Fishes, 
Haddon, A.C. I.” Proc... Roy. Soc. London XUN, 


pp. 309-328 (1889). 


19202] > IN. 


Chaudhuri, B. L. 


Cockerell, TD. Az .. 


3) 


Gray, J. E., and 
Hardwicke, Major- 
General. 

Gravely, F. H. 


Giinther, A. 


3) 


Hamilton, F. B. 


Eteckeliy. )\. 


ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Seistan. 


201 


“ Description of new species of Botia and 
Nemachilus.” Rec. Ind. Mus. III, p. 341 
(1909). 

‘Zoological Results of the Abor Expedi- 
tion. Fish.’ Rec. Ind. Mus. VIII, pp. 
243-257 (1913). 

“Report on a small collection of fish from 
Putao (Hkamti Long) on the Nothern 
Frontier of Burma.’’ Rec. Ind. Mus. 
XVI, pp. 271-287 (1919). 

“ The scales of the African Cyprinid Fishes: 
with a discussion of related Asiatic and 
European species.” Proc. Biol. Soc. 
Washington, XXIII pp. 141-152 (1910). 

‘“ Observations on Fish Scales.’’ Bull. Bur. 
Fisheries Washington, XXXII, pp. IIg- 
T7A) (LOI). 

“ On the Fishes of the Neilgherry Hills and 
Rivers around their Bases.’ Proc. Zool. 
Soc. London, pp. 281-347 (1867). 

Vol. on Fisheries and Botany of Bengal in 
Hunter’s Statistical Account of Bengal 
(1871). 

“‘Tchthyology.” Scientific results of Sec- 
ond Yarkand Mission, (Calcutta: 1878). 

Fishes of India, YI (London: 1878). 

‘“On the Fishes of Afghanistan.” Proc. 
Zool. Soc. London, pp. 224-232 (1880). 
Fauna of British India. Fish, I (London: 

1889). 

Til. Ind. Zoology I, pl. \xxxviii, figs. 3 

and 3a (London: 1832). 


‘“‘Notes on some Asiatic species of 
Palingenia.” Rec. Ind. Mus. XVIII, 
pPsES7 (£920): [1868). 


Cat. Fish. British Mus. VII (London: 

Fishes in Aitchison’s ‘‘ The Zoology of Af- 
ghan Delimitation Commission.’’ Tyans. 
Linn. Soc. London, V (2), pp. 106-109 
(1889). 

An account of the Fishes of the Ganges. 
(Edinburgh : 1822), 

Fishe aus Caschmir Gesammelt und Her- 
ausgegehen von Carl Fretherrn v. Hiigel 
(1838). 

Russegger, Rezsen, 1,2, p. 1027 (Wien: 
1843): (not seen). 


202 Records of the Indian Museum. Vor. XVI 


Heckell J: ji; 
Herzenstein, S. 
Jenkins, J. T. 


jerdon; 4c 


+) 


Jordan, D. S., and 
Evermann, B. W. 

Jordan, D. S., and 
Fowler, H. W. 


Kessler, K. T. 


Llyod, R. E. 


McClelland, J. 


oB) 


Nikolsky, A. M. 


Prashad, Be 


Regan, C22: 


Fishche Kaschmir’s nebst einem Anhang von 
dret neuen Arten aus indien, gesammelt 
von Freiherrn Carl v. Hiigel (Date later 
than 1843). 

“‘Fische,” in Wess. Res. Przewalski Cen- 
tral As. Reis. Zool. Theil III (2), (1888). 

‘“Notes on Fish from India and Persia, 
with description of new species.”’ Rec. 
Ind. Mus. V, pp. 123-140 (1910). 

“On the Fresh-water Fishes of Southern 
India.” Madras Journ. Lit. Sci. XV, 
p. 309 (1848). 

‘“On the Fresh-water Fishes of Southern 
India.” Ilid. XVI, p. 310 (1849). 

The Genera of Fishes. (California: 
Stanford University, 1917). 

‘“A review oft he Cobitidae, or loaches, 
of - the: Riverss of Japan. = PaUase 
National Mus. XXVI, pp. 765-774 
(1903). 

“Pisces’’ in Fedtschenko’s “Reise in Tur- 
kestan.’’ (1874). 

“ Report on the Fish collected in Tibet by 
Cap. F. H. Stewart, I.M.S.’’ Rec. Ind. 
Mus. II, pp. 341-346 (1908-09). 

‘“ Observations on six new _ species of 
Cyprinidae, with an outline of a new 
classification of the family.” Journ. 
As. Soc. Bengal VII (2), pp. 941-948 
(1838). 

“Indian Cyprinidae. 
XIX, p. 246 (1839). 

“Voyage de Zaroudny eétc., Reptiles: 
Amphibies et Poissons,’ Ann. Mus. 
Zool. -Ac. Sct; St. Petersburgh 11, pp. 
346-347 (1897). 

Ibid., IV, p. 412 (1899). 

‘““On a new species of Discognathus from 
the Kangra Valley.”’ Rec. Ind. Mus. 
XVI, pp. 163-165 (1919). 

“Description of five new Cyprinid Fishes 
from Lhasa, Tibet, collected by Capt. 
H. J. Walton, I.M.S.” Ann. Mag. Nat. 
Hist. XV, pp. 185-88 (1905). 

“ Description of two new Cyprinid Fishes from 
Tibet.”” Ibid., XV, pp. 300-301 (1905). 

‘“New Cyprinoid Fishes from the Helmund 
Basin.’ Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, I, 
pp. 8 and 9 (1906). 


%) 


Astatic Researches, 


1920.] N. ANNANDALE & S. L. Hora: The Fish of Setstan. 203 


Regan, C.T. 


Steindachner. F. 


Stewart, F. H. 


+) 


Vinciguerra, D. 


Weber, M., and 
De Beautort, 1. EF. 
Zugmayer, E. e 


“Two new Cyprinid Fishes from Waziristan, 
collected by Major G. EK. Bruce.” Ann. 
Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) XIII, pp. 261-263 
(1914). 

“Tchthyologische Mittheilungen (IX).”’ 
Verh. «Zool: bot. Ges= Wem. <n 
pp. 784-796 (1866). 

“Comparison of the Fish-Fauna of the 
north and the south faces of the Great 
Himalayan Range.’ Rec. Ind. Mus. 
III, pp. 121-123 (1909). 

‘‘Notes on Cyprinidae from Tibet and 
the Chumbi Valley, with a description 
of a new species of Gymnocypris.” Rec. 
Ind. Mus. V1, pp. 73-92 (1911). 

SovViace. Wun Beas in; Birmania, , —Pescis7 
Ann. Mus. Stor. Nat. Genova, XXIX, 
pp. 129-362 (1889-90). 

Pesci Raccolti Dalla Spedizione De Filippi 
Well? Asiax «Centrale. 2b0ds XL Vil 
Pp. 123-149 (1916). 

‘“ Fishes of the Indo-Australian Archipelago ”’ 
III (Leiden: 1916). 

‘‘ Description of four new Cyprinoid Fishes 
from High Asia.” Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 
(8), IV, pp. 432-435 (1909). 

‘‘ Beitrage zur Ichthyologie von Zentral- 
Asien.”” Zool. Jahrb. Syst. . XXIX, 
pp. 276-298 (1910). 

‘“Bight new Fishes from Baluchistan.” 
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) X, pp. 595- 
599 (1912). 

“‘Die Fische von Baluchistan.” <Abh. K. 
Bayerischen Ak. Wiss. (Math.-phys. 
klasse), XXVI, pp. I-35 (1913). 


Sat thee} ii net i ; 


i rt oe 


~ 


F Ayietathos 


. 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE XV. 
FIsH OF SEISTAN 


Schizothorax zarudnyi (Nikolsky). 


Fre. 1.—Adult fish (reduced). 
2.—-Young fish (nat. size). 


”’ 


Schizocypris brucei, Regan 


3.— Young fish (nat. size). 


a Wi | 


Adiposia macmahoni (Chaudhuii). 


4.-—Half-grown fish (nat. size). 


3 


XV, 


1 


PLATE 


Reco.two.Mus.Vor, XVIII, 1920. 


“OBET PIMSTBD 's 


YO Mpyy Jo Korang —aamceasaoyy 


“NV.L 


SS) 


I 


HO Esa 


JOY (MPUOW “O'S 


Pee aaNet 
te ae 
A wie, j 
wf 


fe 


rete 


i Ms ¥ ‘ 
s ) ‘ at hy 
:: { 5 rials i 
F ‘ aT’ t J : uy 4 
5 j ; 
° ; ratte . fe ‘ 
- 5 ‘ * ' 4 
: ' +14) t i 
‘ ’ 1 ls 
Fr iy { ; 
; r 
7 be oe } “ af: 7 At i 
; ’ i lela : 
x ‘ i 
K . 
7 7 J t , yf 
oe a 
‘ iis 
ae ae 
- 4 i 
? . yi 
’ ‘ Tt 
\ ub / 
crise 
‘ 
; 
é . 
‘ 
* 
‘ 
, 
” . 
4 ¢ “ 
1 ¥ b 
i 
k . 
7 | 
\ 
fl 
z - 
> 
’ 
: : é 
+ 
ha 
> 
if 
’ 
re 
3 
; = 
; > 
ble 
‘ 
la 


Pt ASA, 


hy ys 
4 Re f A \ 
aC ES 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE XVI. 


Soft fin of Adiposia, etc. 


Fic. 1.—Vertical section of soft fin of Adiposia macmahont, 
stained with haematoxylin, x 60. 

2.—Part of the lateral region of the same preparation, 
X 200. 

3.—Vertical section of the dorsal fold (behind the dorsal 
fin) of a post-larval Nemachilus evezardi 1 cm. 
long, stained with haematoxylin, X 200. 

4.—Part of the lateral region of the same preparation, 
X 300. 

5.—Part of the lateral region of a vertical section of the 
soft fin of Glyptosternun sp. (fam. Sisoridae, 
suborder Siluroidea), stained with haematoxylin, 
x 80. 

6.—Part of the same preparation, X 200. 


EXPLANATION OF LETTERING. 


a=vacuolated tissue. b=epithelial region. c=fibrous connective tissue. 
d=large blood-vessel. d'=small blood-vessel. e=dorsal muscles. f=gland- 
cell. g=pigment-masses. g/=dendritic pigment-cell. i=unstriped muscle cells. 


Rec. INpb. Mus, VoL. XVIII, i920. PLATE XVI. 


wrvey of Tr 


a : 
S IATY iE ER 
7 ee BES 


well 


ie 


VDE GSAS 


sot Se 
a Py 
oy a 4 
al’ : 
ay 
Hh 


KO Lae 
aki tee 


bic 
[ i 


q 


Wie, ( 
eae 

if LA ae) 7, pie 

fee 


ae (a 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE XVII. 


SHAPED RAFTS FROM INDIA AND SEISTAN. 
Fic. 1.—Fisherman’s tuéin among the reed-beds (Scirpetum) 
of the Hamun-i Helmand. 


2.—Men and boys making a futin on the shore of the 
same lake. 


39 


be) 


3.—Fisherman’s bindt on swamp near Roorkee, U.P., 
India. 


REC. IND: MUS., VOL. XVIII, 1920. PLATE XVII. 


3 
SHAPED RAFTS IN INDIA AND SEISTAN. 


Photo.-engraved & printed at the Offices of the Survey of India, Calcutta, 1920. 


Bere RACV NC A O TA. Ee Pei ORE RA 
(WO LONET CLI DAE. &— COR TCE pA) 
OF SH LS PAN. 


By W.U,. DIstTantv. 


Fam. NOTONECTIDAE. 
Subfam. NOTONECTINAE. 
Genus Notonecta. 


Notonecta glauca Linn. 
Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. X, p. 439 (1758); Dist., Faun. Brit. Ind. Rhynchota 
III, p. 41 (1906). 
Var. marmorea, Fabr. 
Fabr., Syst. Rhyng., p. 103 (1803). 
Daulatabad, Seistan (village pond). 


Anisops fieberi, Kirk. 


Kirk., Entomologist, 1901, p. 5; Dist., Faun. Brit. Ind. UII, p. 46 (1906). 


Nasratabad, Seistan (pools in parade ground); Lab-i-Baring, 
Seistan (channels in reed-beds in Hamun). 


Fam. CORIXIDAE. 
Macrocorisa geffroyi, Leach. 


Leach (Corixa), Trans. Linn. Soc. X\I, p. 17 (1818) ; Dist. (Macrocorisa), 
Faun. Brit. Ind. V, p. 339 (1910). 


Daulatabad, Seistan (village pond). 


Corixa hieroglyphica, Duf. 
Duf.,; Hem. p. 86, f.f. 85—87 (1838); Fieb., Eur. Hem., p.93 (1861) ; 
Dist., Faun. Brit. Ind. II, p. 40, fig. 29 (1906). 

Randa Stream, 4 mi. N.W. of Jellalabad, Seistan ; Nasratabad, 

Seistan. : 
Corixa affinis, Dist. 

Dist., Faun. Brit. Ind. V, p. 341, fig. 202 (1910). 

Channel 8 miles east of Lab-i-Baring, Seistan ; Randa Stream, 
4 mi. N.W. of Jellalabad, Seistan ; Lab-i-Baring, Seistan (channels 
in reed-beds in Hamun); Nasratabad, Seistan (pools in parade 
ground). 


206 Records of the Indian Museum. DWOrexcV le 


Corixa substriata, Uhlet. 
Uhlet (Covisa), Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. X1X, p. 275 (1896); Dist., Faun. 
Brit. Ind. V, p. 340 (1910). 
Nasratabad, Seistan (irrigation channels). 


Corixa seistanensis, sp. nov. 


Body, elytra and legs ochraceous ; pronotum with transverse 
black lines, the clavus with moderately oblique black lines, remain- 
inig elytra with somewhat close black mottlings; eyes black ; 
posterior tarsi more or less suffused with black ; margins of the 
clavus and elytra ochraceous, impunctate. 

Long 64 millimetres. 

Water-channels near Nasratabad, Seistan. 

Allied to the Palearctic C. rogenhofert Fieb. 


Corixa randana, sp. nov. 


Head ochraceous between eyes, which are black; pronotum 
dull dark greenish ochraceous with closely arranged transverse 
black lines; elytra dull dark greenish ochraceous mottled with 
black, the clavus with transverse black lines, the lateral margins 
ochraceous, impunctate; body beneath and legs ochraceous ; 
posterior tarsi with black or blackish suffusions ; head between 
eyes a little longer than broad, eyes much broader than long, their 
apices deflected a little beyond the anterior angles of the prono- 
tum. 

Long 73 millimetres. 

Randa stream, N.W. of Jellalabad, Seistan ; Lab-i-Baring, 
Seistan (channels in reed-beds in Hamun). 


Micronecta desertana, sp. nov. 


Head dull paie ochraceous with a central longitudinal, reddish 
linear spot, eyes black; pronotum dull pale ochraceous with a 
small dark obscure spot near each lateral margin which is paler and 
brighter in hue; elytra dull dark ochraceous with some scattered 
obscure fuscous shadings, the margins paler and brighter ochra- 
ceous; body beneath and legs dull pale ochraceous ; head shorter 
than breadth at base, subequal in length to pronotum; eyes not 
projecting beyond the anterior lateral angles of the pronotum. 

Length 3 millimetres. 

Hurmuk, Persian side of Perso-Afghan-Baluch boundary, 
3,000 ft. (desert-spring). 


Micronecta biskrensis, Horv. 
Horv., Rev. d’Ent. 1899, p. 104. 


Hurmuk, Seistan 3,000 ft. (desert-spring); Algeria (Brit. 
Mus.). 


1920. | W. L. Distant: Rhynchota Heteroptera. 207 
The British Museum possesses an example of this species 


from Algeria, and determined by Dr. Horvath. With this speci- 
men the examples from the Seistan desert entirely agree. 


SOS OS Oe OOO OOOO 


ont BU, 10y we 


THE GROSS ANATOMY OF CORBICULA 
FLUMINALIS (Miller). 


By B. PrasHapD, D.Sc., Assistant Superintendent, 
Zoological Survey of India. 


In a recent paper on the molluscs of Baluchistan and Seistan ! 
Dr. Annandale and I have discussed the synonomy of Corbicula 
fuminalis atsome length. A few additional remarks may, however, 
be made regarding the type-species of the genus Corbicula. This 
genus was established in 1811 by Megerle? with Miiller’s species 
Tellina fluminalis? as the type. Preston‘, admitting this, referred 
to “‘ Corbicula fluminalis, Megerle’’ as the type-species of the genus 
Corbicula ; this is evidently a mistake since the author of the 
species C. fuminalis was Miiller and not Megerle ; the latter author 
only separated some of Miiller’s species of Tellina under the new 
name Corbicula. 

The anatomy of the various species of Corbicula is very 
imperfectly known, the only work of any importance being a 
paper on the anatomy of a Chinese species (C. Jagiliterti) by 
Fischer.’ I have therefore thought it desirable to describe the soft- 
parts of C. fluminalis, specimens of which, collected by Captain 
C.L. Boulenger at various places on the Euphrates, Mesopotamia, 
the original locality of Miiller’s species, and from Seistan, collected 
by Dr. N. Annandale and Dr. S. W. Kemp, are now available. 

Animal. Corresponding to the shape of the shell the animal 
is trigonal, very much swollen in the umbonal region and greatly 
depressed below. Specimens preserved in spirit are of a creamy 
colour, the muscles and foot being of a much darker shade of 
yellow. 

The mantle is transluscent and thin up to the palleal junction, 
the further lower part is much thicker owing to well-developed radial 
palleal muscles, while the free border is still thicker. The margin 
of the mantle is entire and without any papillae along the edge. 
There is, however, a row of small conical papillae on the inner 
surface a little behind the edge. The papillae are much reduced 
or even absent in the middle region of the pedal orifice. In the 
siphonal region also there are papillae in the same situation, but 
these are much smaller in size. The mantle-flaps of the two sides are 
not free from one another but owing to the absence of a supra- 


Rec. Ind. Mus. XVIUII, p. 58, pl. viti, figs. 1-6 (1919). 
Mag. Ges. Naturf. Freude Berlin, V, p. 56 (1811). 
Miiller’s Verm. Terr. Fluv. II, p. 205 (1774). 

Faun. Brit. Ind., Freshw. Moll., p. 210 (1915). 
Fourn. Conchyliol. XI, pp. 1-10, pl. i, figs. 1-3 (1863). 


Are Ye 


210 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoyL. XVIII, 


anal aperture and the formation of a siphonal orifice consequent 
on the development of the two siphons, the arrangement is different 
from that in the Unionidae. Anteriorly the two flaps are united 
with one another to a point a little below the anterior adductor 
muscle. From this point to an imaginary vertical line drawn in 
continuation of the anterior border of the posterior adductor 
muscle to the free edge of the mantle, the two flaps are separate, 
forming the large pedal orifice for the protrusion of the foot. At 
the posterior termination of the pedal orifice the two flaps are 
united by a well-developed muscular connection, thus separating 
off the pedal from the siphonal orifice. The siphonal orifice 
extends to a little below the upper margin of the posterior 
adductor muscle, and encloses the anal and the branchial siphons. 
The mantle in the siphonal region is notched a little below the 
middle, marking off the regions for the two siphons. Above the 
siphonal orifice the mantle flaps « are united with one another as on 
the antero-dorsal border. 

There are two adductor muscles. Of these the anterior one 
lies a little below the anterior margin of the pedal orifice, and 
is circular in outline and of about the same size as the posterior 
adductor. The latter lies just above the anal siphon. A small 
pedal retractor muscle, ovoidal in outline, is situated above the 
posterior adductor muscle; its fibres, which by their contraction 
retract the foot as the shell-valves close, are easily traceable to 
the foot. The well-developed radiating palleal muscle-fibres of the 
mantle have been referred to already; they originate near the 
palleal line and end slightly behind the free edge of the mantle. 
In consequence of the absence of a distinct siphonal sinus on the 
shell the siphonal contractors are feebly developed and appear as 
specialized radial palleal fibres, which are more numerous in this 
region, are specially thickened and have a distinct antero-posterior 
course. 

In all the preserved specimens the siphons are fully contracted. 
It is not possible, therefore, to decide as to their respective 
lengths. The two siphons are, however, quite separate from one 
another, the upper or anal siphon being the smaller of the two. 
It has a rounded orifice with one or two small papillae surround- 
ing it, and has the anus opening into it anteriorly just behind the 
posterior adductor muscle. The lower or branchial siphon is much 
larger, with an ovoidal orifice in the contracted condition, and 
bears three to four rows of elongate papillae on its external 
orifice. 

The attachments of the gills are quite normal. The outer 
lamellae of the outer pair are attached to the mantle, the inner 
lamellae of the outer pair to the outer lamellae of the inner, while 
the inner lamellae of the inner pair are attached along a little 
more than the anterior half to the abdominal mass, the rest 
becoming fused with the same part of the lamella of the gill of 
the opposite side. The outer pair of gills are much shorter in 
both length and width than the inner pair. 


1920. | B. PRASHAD: Anatomy of Corbicula. 20 


The palps are comparatively short, fleshy structures some- 
what triangular in outline and the two palps of each side are of 
about the same size. The abdominal mass is much larger com- 
paratively than that of C. lagillierti. ‘The foot is small and feebly 
developed, it is rounded posteriorly and has a slightly pointed tip 
on the anterior side. The rest of the digestive system is very 
similar to that of the genus Galatea.! The rectum and the heart, 
lying in the pericardium, are plainly visible through the mantle. 

There is nothing special to note about the nervous, circulatory 
and excretory systems. Regarding the genital system the only 
point of interest is the more swollen condition of the abdominal 
mass in the females. 

Affinities, etc. The animal closely resembles that of C. lagil- 
iertt described by Fischer (loc. cit.), only differing in the better 
development of the siphons, the abdominal mass and the palleal 
muscles. The siphonal muscle is poorly developed and the palps 
are much smaller. These differences may possibly be correlated, 
as Dr. Annandale has suggested to me, with the peculiar conditions 
in which Corbicula fluminalts is found. These are its living buried 
in soft mud and the long period of hibernation during the dry 
weather. 

Fischer’s remark as to the main distinguishing characters of 
the genus Corbicula, when he says, “ On distinguera aisément les 
cyrénes a levrs branchie non réunies en arriere avec celles du cété 
opposé,’’ is far from a correct description for, as has been des- 
cribed, the inner lamellae of the inner pair of gills of the two sides 
are united with each other in the posterior part and are not free. 
Fischer himself had recognized this, for in his ‘‘ Manuel de Conchy- 
liologie ’’ (p. rogr) he described the animal of the genus Corbicula 
as having “‘ branchie réunies en arriére.’’ 


! Rang in Ann. Sct. Nat. XXII, pp. 152-164, pl. v (1832). 


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NPIS O Ie Ae 


By Tokio KaBurakl, Research Student, 
Imperial University, Tokyo. 


(From the Zoological Laboratory, The Museums, Cambridge.) 


A considerable number of accidents caused by the leech 
Limnatis mlotica (Savigny), which is well known under the term 
‘* Horse-leech,”’ exist in literature.! In the process of being swal- 
lowed, the leech attaches itself to the mouth, throat and nasal 
cavity of men and beasts, causing hemorrhage as well! as hinder- 
ing respiration. When it penetrates deeper the hemorrhage may 
sometimes be very serious and even fatal. 

IT owe to Dr. N. Annaidale of the Indian Museum the oppor- 
tunity of examining one specimen of leech, which seems to be 
identical with the species mentioned. The material was obtained, 
apparently at Quetta, Baluchistan, from the throat of an Austrian 
prisoner, who had been brought from Persia. In drinking from 
dirty pools in Persia, he sucked up six individuals, all of which 
had been at the back of his throat for eight days. This informa- 
tion comes from Capt. A. G. R. Hardwick, R.A.M.C., who has 
communicated it to Dr. Annandale. 

The specimen is of large size, measuring 85 mm. long, exclu- 
sive of the posterior sucker, by 16 mm. across, taken almost in 
front of the posterior fifth of the body, from which the trunk 
tapers more gradually to the anterior end than to the posterior. 
The trunk is subcylindrical, presenting on the ventral surface of its 
anterior end the sucker which is destitute of the three powerful 
jaws, and in this respect it is unlike the medical leech. The upper 
lip of the sucker is divided on its inferior surface into two lobes by 
a deep longitudinal groove. ‘The jaws are covered by papillae and 
provided with more than roo minute teeth. The posterior sucker, 
which is distinctly separated from the trunk by a constriction, is 
of a circular shape, the diameter being about 12 mm. 

The leech, being preserved in spirit, cannot be expected to 
have retained its original colour. The body is of a uniform brown- 
ish grey colour, without being traversed on the dorsal surface by 
any trace of such four black lines and a median yellow or green 
stripe as has been described by Blanchard.? Along each side, 


! Blanchard, R., Courtes notices sur les Hirudinées, 1. Bull. de la Soc. Zool. 
de France, XVI, 1891, p. 218. Hirudinées de I’Italie continentale et insulaire. 
Boll. Mus. Zool. Univ. di Torino, 1X, 1894, p.42. Masterman, E. W. G., Hiru- 
dinea as Human Parasites in Palestine. Parasitology, |, 1908, p. 282. 

2 See Blanchard, Joc. cit., 1894, p. 43. 


214 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vou. XVIII, 1921.} 


separating the dorsal from the ventral surface, is a well-defined, 
dull orange lateral stripe. In colouration the present specimen 
can be easily distinguished from Limmnatis (Poectlobdella) granulosa 
(Savigny), which presents the colour-pattern peculiar to the sub- 
genus Poecilobdella.' ‘The latter species is common in British 
India. 

The trunk is made up of ror annuli, of which the 5th and 6th 
are fused ventrally to form the posterior margin of the anterior 
sucker. The same is true of the 7th and 8th annuli. In the 95th 
and g6th annuli I have been unable to demonstrate such a tendency 
of dividing into two as has been put on record by Blanchard.? 

There are five pairs of eyes, of which the first three pairs are 
arranged on the first three annuli, forming a semicircle; the 4th 
pair lie on the 5th annulus; the 5th pair on the 8th annulus. 

The male genital aperture lies in the posterior edge of the 30th 
annulus, appearing to exist between the 2nd and 3rd annuli of the 
X somite; the female aperture occurs five annuli behind the male, 
between the 2nd and 3rd annuli of the XI somite. 

The nephridial pores lie in the posterior edge of the last annu- 
lus of each somite, but their total number could not be enu- 
merated. 

The alimentary tract agrees in the main with the medical 
leech, the crop being provided with some ten pairs of coeca, which 
are filled with blood, revealing a deep red colour. The intestine 
opens out on the dorsal surface of the last annulus, just in front 
of the posterior sucker. 

Limnatis nilotica is of wide distribution, extending from the 
Azores, through part of Western Europe as well as Northern 
Africa, to part of Western Asia. It is of interest that its range 
extends, as stated by Dr. Annandale,® into the borders and even 
within the boundaries of the Indian Empire. 


!/% Blanchard, Révision des Hirudinées du Musée de Turin. Soll. Mus. 
Zool. Univ. di Torino, VIXI, 1893, pp. 27, 28. 

8 Annandale, N., Note on the Occurrence of the Leech Limnatis nilotica 
in Seistan and the Afghan-Baluch Desert. Rec. /ndian Mus., XVIII, pt. 1, 
1920, Pp: 135. 


ns ens OOS 


REE POR’ -O,Ne st, SERGE SEW. sAcsiesis ae 
GAS ROP © DM OL CrSiGsm Olr 
LOWER MESOPOTAMIA. 


ParT IIJ.—TuHe Faminies NERITIDAR, HyDROBIIDAE 
AND MELANIIDAE. 


By B. Prasuap, D.Sc., Assistant Superintendent, 
Zoological Survey of India. 


Since the publication of the first two parts of this series, the 
Indian Museum has received a valuable collection of Mesopota- 
mian molluscs from Dr. KF. W. Bowell, made by him at Basra 
during August I917—February 1919, and placed with great 
generosity at our disposal. This collection, together with the 
collections mentioned in the previous parts of this report has 
rendered the working out of the Mesopotamian molluscs much 
easier and more satisfactory. Specimens of the families reported 
cn in the first two parts of the report are also represented in this 
collection, but these do not offer any specially interesting points 
for further discussion. They belong to the following species :— 


Limnaea tenera ewphratica. Gyraulus convexiusculus.' 
Limnaea peregra canalifera. Gyraulus euphraticus. 
Bullinus contortus. Gyraulus intermixtus. 


The only point to be noted in reference to these is that the 
large series of L. peregra canalifera exhibits much greater indivi- 
dual variability than the specimens previously examined. 


Family NERITIDAE. 
Genus Neritina, Lamarck. 
Subgenus Dostia, Gray. 


1919. Dostia, Annandale and Prashad, Rec. Jud. Mus., XVI, pp. 

2ZAZ, 243 
In the paper cited above Dr. Annandale and I considered 
Dostia, Gray, as distinct from Neriztina, Lamarck, but asa result of 
further examination of the rich collections in the Indian Museum 
I am inclined to consider it as worthy of subgeneric rank only. 


! We would invite attention to the fact that there has been an unfortunate 
transposition of lettering in reference to Gyraulus euphraticus and Segmentina 
calathus in fig. 5 on page 40 of this volume. The figure D refers to the Seg- 
mentina and the figure F to the Gyraulus. [N. A. and B. P.}. 


216 Records of the Indian Museum. [VOLES Deve. 


In the Mesopotamian collection before me it is represented by 
Mousson’s species N. schlaeflii which was originally described from 
the Persian Gulf. 


Neritina schlaeflii, Mousson. 


1874. Neritina (Mitrula) schlaefliit, Mousson, Fourn. Conchyliol. 


XXII, pp. 49, 50. 
1874. Neritina crepidulavia? var. Schlaeflii, von Martens, Vorder 


Asiat. Conchyl., pp. 44, 67, 124. 
1879. Neritina crepidularia (in part), von Martens, in Chemnitz, 
Conch.-Cab., Nevitina, pp. 37-45, pl. vii, figs. 9-11. 

This species was described by Mousson from shells collected 
on the island of ‘‘Ghaes” in the Persian Gulf. He noted the 
resemblance between it and the Oriental species, N. crepidularia 
and N. depressa, but considered it distinct from either owing to 
the much smaller size of the shell, the much less convex and 
laterally compressed dorsal surface, in the spire being more 
recurved and flattened, the nucleus being more prominent and in 
having a much smaller though comparatively more elongate 
mouth-opening. According to von Martens, it is only a variety 
of N. crepidularia, but the two Mesopotamian specimens collected 
by Dr. Bowell at Basra leave no doubt in my mind that it is speci- 
fically distinct. 

The Mesopotamian specimens have a purplish background 
with a large number of irregular white spots resulting in a network 
of rather broad purple lines surrounding the white spots ; near the 
margins of the shell it assumes a blackish tint owing to the dark- 
ness of the ground colour and absence of the white spots. 

Through the kindness of Major Froilano de Mello of the 
Portuguese Medical Service in Goa, the Indian Museum has received 
a specimen of this species from near Goa on the west coast of 
Peninsular India. This specimen is of a uniform dark brown 
colour. This record greatly extends the range of N. schlaeflit. 


Subgenus Neritaea, Roth. 


1879. Neritaea, von Martens, op. cit., p. 6. 

1899. Neritina (Neritaea), Kobelt in Rossmassler’s /con. Land. -u. 
Stssw.-Moll. (n. f.) VIII, p. 1. 

1913. Theodoxis, Preston, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal, 1X, pp. 470, 471. 

1915. Theodoxis, Preston, Faun. Brit. Ind. Freshw.-Moll., p. 5. 

In his monograph of the genus Neritina, von Martens divided 
it into six subgenera, and included the species dealt with here in 
the subgenus Neritaea, Roth. This subgenus he further subdivid- 
ed into eight groups according to the shape, sculpture, etc., of 
the shell. In the synopsis of these groups he included N. jordans 
and the other Mesopotamian species of the genus in the group 
Pictae, but further on in the descriptive part of his monograph 
included them in the account of the group Semicirculatae. This 
is evidently a mistake since the group Semicirculatae is confined 
to Central America and South Africa, while the Pictae group is 
found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and 


1921I.] B. PRASsHAD : Gastropod Molluscs. 227, 


America, Moreover the structural characters of N. jordani and its 
allies do not justify their inclusion in the group Semicirculatae. 

Preston, following Locard! and Dautzenberg,® assigns these 
species to the genus or subgenus Theodoxis or rather Theodoxus, 
Montfort. This is certainly wrong, since Montfort’s name Theo- 
doxus, as both von Martens and Kobelt have shown, should be 
reserved for the Palaearctic species of the fluviatilis type; the 
shells of the jordant type being included in the subgenus Nert- 
taea, Roth. 

Dr. Annandale recorded four species of the genus Nerttina 
from Tower Mesopotamia. I have, however, found specimens of 
another in the collections made by Dr. Bowell at Basra. This 
form (N. macrii var. michom) was only known hitherto from Syria 
and Palestine. 


Neritina mesopotamica (Mousson), Martens. 
1874. Neritrna meridionalis, var. Mesopotamica, Mousson, op. cit., p. 
36. 
1874. Were anatolica, var. Mesopotamica, v. Martens, op. cit., 
PP- 33, 34) pl. v, fig. 42. Ye 
1879. Neritina mesopotamica, v. Martens, of. cit., pp. 90, 91, pl. xin, 
figs, 20, 21. 
1899. Neritina mesopotamica, Kobelt, op. cit., p. 4, pl. ccxi, fig. 1325. 

Mousson confused this species with the Sicilian N. meridion- 
alis and gave a very incomplete description of his new variety 
mesopotamica. ‘The same form was also described in the same 
year by von Martens under the same name as Mousson’s, but 
apparently in ignorance of his work. Von Martens considered it 
to be a form of N. anatolica, but published a full description and 
a good figure, and also compared the variety with the species 
N. michoni and N. bellardit. Later in his monograph of the genus 
he considered it to be a species distinct from N. anatolica and 
worthy of specific rank. I have compared the single Mesopota- 
mian specimen before me with specimens of N. macriz, var. michonz, 
from Palestine and Mesopotamia and with those of N. anatolica, 
var. bellardit, {rom Damascus, and am of opinion that the species, 
as von Martens decided, is distinct from either. 

The single Mesopotamian specimen was collected by Dr. 
Boulenger on the banks of the Khandag creek, Basra. The spire 
of this specimen is not so prominent as is shown in von Marten’s 
figures, but in other respects closely agrees with his figures and 
description. ‘The inner lip is straight and has minute denticula- 
tions on its inner border. 


Neritina macrii, var. michoni (Bourg.). 


1879. Neritina Macrii, var. michoni, von Martens, of. cit., pp. 88-90, 
pl. iv, figs. 11-13 and pl. xiii, figs. 27-29. 


1 Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. Lyon, UI, p. 231 (1883). 
2 Rev. Biol. Nord. France, V1, p. 340 (1894). 


218 Records of the Indian Museum. [VOreVEiE 


1883. Theodoxis michont, Locard, Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. Lyon, U1, pp. 
1894. Neen. (Theodoxia) michoni, Dautzenberg, Rev. Biol. Nord. 
France, V1, pp. 351, 352. 
1913. Theodoxis michont, Preston, op. cit , p. 471. 

There has been a great deal of confusion in literature as to 
the exact status of this form. Von Martens, who gives complete 
references to previous literature, was the first to recognize its 
relationship with N. macrit, Recluz, but in later works Locard, 
Dautzenberg and Preston have treated the species as distinct, and 
as belonging to the subgenus or genus Theodoxis. ‘This view, as I 
have pointed out above, is not correct and the species should be 
assigned to the genus Neritina and the subgenus Neritaea. Kobelt ! 
in his account of N. macriz says, ‘‘Martens hat’ Neritina karasuna 
und michonw mit macrii vereinigt, und zwar mit Recht,’’ and 
therefore includes michoni only as a synonym of N. macrit. 
However, owing to the differences between the typical N. macrii 
and the form michoni I consider the latter as a distinct variety of 
the species. 

The shells of this variety are less ovate than the typical 
form, have the spire a little more pronounced, the suture more 
impressed, the outer lip of the aperture extending much further 
over the columellar region, a relatively broader and more flat 
columellar region and the mouth shorter but broader. 

In the Mesopotamian collections there are five specimens of 
this form, four collected by Dr. Bowell at Basra and the fifth 
from the Khandag creek, collected by Dr. Boulenger. 

It may also be pointed out here that some of the specimens, 
collected by Dr. Annandale from the exit of the R. Jordan, Palestine, 
were described by Preston as being of an intermediate character 
between N. michom and N. jordani. I have examined these 
specimens but can find no resemblances between them and UN. 
jordant except for their colouration. ‘This point is considered 
further under N. jordani. 


Neritina jordani, Sowerby. 


1861. Nevitina jordani, and var. turris, Mousson, Vierteljahrsschr. 
Naturf, Ges. Zurich V1, pp. 151-152. 

1879. Neritina jordani, von Martens, op. cit., pp. 84-86, pl. 11, figs. 
14-10. 

1883. Theodoxia jordani, Locard, op, cit., pp. 231, 232. 

1894. Neritina (Theodoxia) jordani, with var. aberrans, Dautzenberg, 
op. cit., PP. 349, 350. 

1899. Neritina jordant, var. turris, Kobelt, op. cit., pp. 2, 3, pl. ccxi, 
figs. 1319, 1320. 

1913. Lheodoxis gordani, Preston, op. cit., p- 470. 

1918. Neritina gordani, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XV, ps. 162. 


Dr. Annandale recorded the occurrence of this species in 
Mesopotamia from specimens sent to him from Nasariyeh. Since 
then we have received several shells from Basra collected by Dr. 
Bowell. This large series, together with the Palestine shells 


! Rossmassler's Fon penne wu, Stssw. Moll. (n. f.) VIII, p. 5. 


1g21.| B. PrAsHaD : Gastropod Molluscs, 219 


already in the Indian Museum, makes it possible to discuss the 
individual variation in form and colour. 

Sowerby ! figures three shells of what he calls the three varie- 
ties of N. yordant, without indicating a typical form; his figures 
also are very poor. Reeve’s® figures show a rather ovoid shell 
with a relatively small and scarcely exserted spire and with the 
body-whorl nearly smooth or with only a slight constriction on it. 
Mousson did not figure the shells he examined, but described a 
new variety under the name turris, which he distinguished from the 
typical form by its much larger size, more elevated apex, which 
makes the shell almost subcylindrical in shape, and by the body- 
whorl having a more prominent constriction. The figure of the 
typical form, the only one illustrated in von Marten’s monograph, 
differs from that of Reeve’s in having a comparatively shorter but 
more prominent spire, the columellar border narrower, the mouth 
relatively smaller and the constriction on the body-whorl much 
more pronounced. Dautzenberg, who followed Locard as to nomen- 
clature, added a new variety (aberrans), which, according to him, 
is distinguished by the almost complete absence of the constriction 
on the body-whorl and by its variable but different colouration. 
Kobelt has given good figures of the typical form and of var. ¢urrts, 
Mousson. His figure of the typical form is quite similar to that of 
von Martens. Preston does not add any notes on the specimens 
examined by him, but says in his account of T. michoni that some 
of the specimens of this species link up the two species, T. jordant 
and T. michoni, and that these two are probably extreme forms of 
the same species only. Annandale, however, refers to some of the 
shells from Palestine and reported on by Preston as belonging to 
the var. turvis of Mousson. In view of the above remarks it is 
clear that we have to deal with three forms. (i) N. jordani s.s. 
which von Martens’ and Kobhelt’s figures may be taken to re- 
present, and which appears to be a tiue lake-form occurring in the 
Lake of Tiberias and probably in the Lake of Homs. (ii) N.jordanz, 
var. turris, described by Mousson and of which Kobelt’s figure is a 
good representation. ‘This form is stated to have been taken in the 
Lake of Tiberias, but the exact biological conditions under wnich 
it was found are not stated by either Mousson or Kobelt. In Dr. 
Annandale’s collections and those of the late Dr. Anderson from 
those areas the form is only represented in the collections from 
the exit of the River Jordan. The form is probably a true stream 
phase. (iii) N. jordant, var. aberrans, described by Dautzenberg, 
but of which no figures have been published. The type speci- 
mens of this form were collected in the Lake of Homs and all the 
specimens from Mesopotamia in my opinion belong ton tt. his 
form appears to be confined to closed or slow-running waters. 

The three phases discussed above may be distinguished by the 
following key :— 


| Conchological illustrations, Neritina, pp. 4, 6, fig. 49 (18.41). 
2 Conch. Icon., Neritina, species 129 (1856). 


220 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vou. XVIII, 


I. Shell with a distinct transverse constriction on the 
body-whorl. 
A. Shell not more than 8 mm. in maximum diame- 
ter; more or less ovoidal in shape .. WM. gordant typtca. 
B. Shell measuring up to 15 mm. in maximum 
diameter ; almost subcylindrical in shape 
and with the constriction of the body-whorl 
better marked than in the typical form —.,..- NV. gordant, var. 
turrts. 
II. Shell with the body-whorl almost smooth or with 
only a faint transverse constriction across it ... NN. jordant, vat. 
aberrans. 


The major part of the Palestine collection reported on by 
Preston and the shells from the Lake of Tiberias from the late 
Dr. Anderson’s collection belong to the typical form (fig. Ia). 
They have the shell of an ovato-conical form with a prominent 
spire and a distinct though not very deep constriction across the 


Ay. 2\k\ 


SS 


if 


Fic. 1.—Neritina jordani, Sowerby. 


a. Shell of the typical form from Palestine. 
6. Shell of Mousson’s var. turvris from River Jordan. 
c. Shell of var. aberrans, Dautzenberg, from Mesopotamia. 


body-whorl. The colouration is. variable. Most of the speci- 
mens have zigzag vertical stripes of a red, chocolate or dark brown 
colour alternating with white stripes of the same shape, in a few 
cases the stripes coalesce here and there to produce a reticulate 
pattern ; still further, a few have a uniform dark-brown or black 
colour with only a few pale spots. The specimens which Preston 
regarded as being of an intermediate character between his 7. 
michont and T. jordani are no more than uniformly coloured speci- 
mens of this form of N. jorvdani and have no relationship with 
N. macrii, var. michont. 

The var. ¢urris of Mousson (fig. 18) is, as I have stated above, 
represented by specimens from the River Jordan only. These 
are much larger, of a subcylindrical shape, have a much less promi- 
nent spire and the constriction on the body-whorl is much more 
impressed. In colour the shells show great variation ; the stripes 
are of various colours as in the typical form but are narrower and 


1921. | B. PrasHapD: Gastropod Molluscs. 221 


much closer ; a reticulate pattern is also formed in some cases by 
the fusion of the stripes with one another. 

I assign all the Mesopotamian specimens to the var. aberrans, 
Dautzenberg (fig. 1c.), since the constriction on the body-whorl 
in most cases is quite absent or only faintly indicated. The speci- 
mens are, further, less elongate than the typical form and have a 
comparatively broader columellar area. The colouration is very 
vatiable. In some cases the shells are uniformly dark-brown or 
black, in others they have purple, red, chocolate or brownish wavy 
stripes alternating with much broader white stripes, while most of 
them show a distinct network of white spots alternating with 
coloured ones, the latter formed by the fusion of the stripes with 
one another. Most of the specimens are of a smaller size than those 
of the typical form. 


Family HYDROBIIDAE. 


Specimens of the genera Tvicula, Bithynia and Amnicola 
(Alocinma) are represented in the Mesopotamian collections before 
me. Dr. Annandale (loc. cit., p. 163) assigned an imperfect shell 
from Nasariyeh to the genus Lithoglyphus, Mihl., with some doubt. 
I have examined this specimen and agree with Dr. Anna.\dale in 
considering it as possibly belonging to the genus Lithoglyphus, but 
it is too imperfect for a precise diagnosis. 


Genus Tricula, Benson. 


1843. Tricula, Benson, Cal. Fourn. Nats iist., p. 407. —: 

1851. Bithinella, Moquin Tandon, Fourn. Conchyliol. Ul, p. 239. 

1852. Paludina (in part), Kiister, Mart., Chemn. Conch.—Cab., Palu- 
Gina, ebosyPs le 2 : 

1856. Bythinella, Moquin Tandon, Hist. Moll. Terr.—Fluv. France, 


Presbo: 
1858. Tricula, H. and A. Adams, Gen. Rec. Moll. 1, p. 300, pl. xxxi, 
figs. 5, 5a, 5b. 


1862. Tricula, Benson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. X, pp. 415, 410. 

1863. Paludinella (in part), Frauenfeld, Verh. Zool.-bot. Ges. Wren, 
XIII, p. 199. 

1885. Tvicula and Hydrobia_ subgen. Bythinella (in part), Nevill, 
Hand-List. Moll. Ind. Mus. M1, pp. 62, and 49 respectively. 

1887. Tricula, Fischer, Man. Conchyliol., p. 727: 

1892. Sythinella, Kobelt, Rossmassler. /con. Eur. Moll. (n. s.), V, 


Pp- 36, 37: 
1915. Tvricula, Preston, Faun. Brit. Ind. Freshw.-Moll. p. 608. 

I have carefully compared shells of the Himalayan species 
Tricula montana, on which Benson founded his genus, with those 
of certain European species assigned by most recent authors to 
Bithinella, Moquin Tandon, and can find no generic difference. 
Kobelt’s figures of the various species of Bithinella, moreover, 
strongly support the view that the two are identical. A short 
review of the confusion that has existed in literature regarding 
the exact status of the genus Tvicula may be given before consi- 
dering the question of its synonymy. 


Li) 
th 
No 


Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor XVIII, 


Benson in his original description described the genus as 
belonging to the Melaniidae, basing his argument partly on shell- 
characters, which according to him showed the same relationships 
to Melania s.s. as ‘‘ certain Egyptian and Syrian species of Palu- 
domus’’ bore to that genus; and partly on anatomical grounds, 
the animal being, according to him, Melania-like. In this sup- 
position he was followed by Gray and H. and A. Adams, but Brot in 
his revision .of the Melaniidae, differing from them, stated that the 
genus was probably referrable to the Paludinidae. Benson in his 
subsequent work slightly elaborated his original arguments, and 
considered Brot’s position untenable owing to the ‘‘ very funda- 
mental difference between the concentric operculum of Paludina 
and the subspiral one of Tvicula” ; he again laid stress on the 
resemblance of the animal of Tvicula to that of Melania. Stimpson, 
Stoliczka, Blanford and Nevill considered Tricula to be a Rissoid 
genus. Fischer in doubtfully placing it amongst the Hydrobtiidae 
compared it with Acicula, a genus of land-molluscs, and re- 
marked, ‘‘ I,a classification de ce genre est embarrassante.”” He 
had, however, come to a nearly correct conclusion. Preston 
followed him in assigning Tyvicula to the Hydrobiidae, or what 
he calls Paludestrinidae. I have pointed out above the resem- 
blance between the shell of T. montana and that of the various 
species assigned to the genus Bithinella. ‘The resemblance between 
its animal and that of the genus Melania, on which Benson laid so 
much stress, is only superficial and his own description does not 
show any differences between the animal of Trvzcula and that of 
any other Hydrobiid. Assuming, therefore, that the genus is a 
true Hydrobiid and that there is no difference between it and the 
genus Bithinella, Moquin Tandon, the name Tvicula, Benson will 
have priority over Moquin Tandon’s. 

It may be noted here that the Indian brackish-water species 
referred to as Bithinella miiiacea in a recent paper! by Dr. Annan- 
dale and myself is not assignable to the genus Tvzcula, but has 
relationships with the genus Stenothyra, Benson. 

I have here to express my indebtedness to Dr. N. Annandale 
for pointing out to me the exact status of the genus Tyvicula and 
for the help he has so generously given me in clearing up its 
synonymy. 

Tricula palmyrae (Dautzenberg). 
1918. Bithinella palmyrae, Annandale, op. cit., p. 162. 

The only specimens of this species are the shells referred to in 
Dr. Annandale’s paper cited above. I have carefully compared 
them with Dautzenberg’s description and figure of the species and 
can find no differences. 


Genus Bithynia, Gray. 
In the Mesopotamian collection this genus is represented by 
two species: (i) B. badiella, a species common in Palestine and 


| Rec. Ind. Mus., XVI, p. 248 (1919). 


G07 104 Naa B. PrasHApD : Gastropod Molluscs. 223 


Syria and recently recorded by Dr. Annandale from Mesopotamia 
and (ii) B. rubens, a species widely distributed in Italy, Sardinia, 
Greece, Algeria, Syria and probably in Upper Mesopotamia. 


Bithynia badiella, Parreyss. 


1919. Bithynia badiella, Annandale, op. cit., p. 162. 


In addition to the specimens reported on by Dr. Annandale 
there is a shell in the collection made by Dr. C. L. Boulenger from 
the area between Nasiriyeh and Hama Lake, Lower Mesopotamia. 
These specimens agree closely with the specimens from Palestine 
and Syria in the Indian Museum collection. 


Bithynia rubens (Menke). 
1892.. Bithynia rubens, Kobelt, op. cit., pp. 70,71, pl. cxxxvu, fig. 806. 

Specimens of this very variable species collected by Dr. 
Boulenger and Dr. Bowell at Basra agree with Kobelt’s figures and 
with the specimens in the Indian Museum collection from Damas- 
cus. 

Nevill! gave names to a number of well characterized forms 
of the species from various localities and the specimens he marked 
are in the collection of the Indian Museum. As he did not 
describe these forms and some of them have since been described 
by Preston under other names, Nevill’s names will have to be taken 
as nomina nuda only, but the whole question is too complicated to 
be dealt with here. 


Genus Amnicola, Gould and Haldemann. 


Subgenus Alocinma, Annandale and Prashad. 


1919. Alocinma, Annandale and Prashad, Rec. /nd. Mus., XVIII, pp. 


23, 2 


1920. Alocinma, Annandale Rec. Ind. Mus., XIX, pp. 42, 43: 


Dr. Annandale and I recently proposed this subgenus for 
certain Indian and Persian species hitherto assigned to the genera 
Bithynia aud Amnicola, We regarded this subgenus as being of an 
intermediate character between 4 mmnicola s.s. and Pseudamnicola, 
both of which also must be considered as subgenera only. Re- 
cently Dr. Annandale has pointed out that ‘‘ Bythenia ejecta,”’ 
a species described by Mousson from Lower Mesopotamia, also 
belongs to this subgenus. 


Amnicola (Alocinma) ejecta (Mousson). 


1874. Bythinia ejecta, Mousson, op. cit., p. 40. 
A few of the specimens in Dr. Boulenger’s collection from the 
banks of the Euphrates at Nasiriyeh and at Feluja agree with 
Mousson’s description and are, therefore, assigned to his species. 


| Hand-List Moll. Ind. Mus., \\, pp. 40, 41 (1885). 


224 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vo1. XVIII, 


At the end of his description of the species he adds the 
following: ‘‘ D’aprés la forme de ]’ouverture et surtout du bord, 
que est obtus a sa terminaison, je considére cette espéce comme 
une Bythinie, bien que l’opercule manque et que sa petitesse 
rappelle plut6t les Amnicoles.’’ It is clear from this quotation 
that Mousson was not quite definite about the generic position 
of his form. ‘The specimens before me, however, leave no doubt 
that the species B. ejecta, Mousson, as was considered by Dr. 
Annandale, is not a member of the genus Bithynia, Gray, but 
belongs to our new subgenus Alocinma. 


Bo 


Fic. 2.—Ammnicola (Alocinma) ejecta (Mousson) from the banks of the 
Euphrates at Nasiriyeh. 


Family MELANIIDAE. 
Genus Melanoides, Olivier. 


Melanoides tuberculata (Miller). 


1874. Melania tuberculata, Mousson, op. cit., pp. 47, 48. 

1887. Melania tuberculata, Schepmann and Snellmann, Moll. iz Veth. 
Mid.-Sum. Reiz. Ind. Sumatra-Exped., pp. 16, 17, pl. it, 
fig. 11 (radula). 

1919. Melanoides tuberculata, Annandale and Prashad, Rec. Ind. Mus., 
OV TT pp: 3,325 pl. vi, fig. 1. 

In the paper cited above Dr. Annandale and I have given the 
diagnostic characters of this widely distributed and very variable 
species. The radula of the mollusc had been figured by us pre- 
viously in another paper.! Schepmann had previously figured and 
described the radula of the Sumatran form in the obscure publica- 
tion cited above. The two differ from one another, but the 
differences are more apparent than real, being due mainly to 
different views of the teeth having been figured; other differences 
in the number of denticulations are only of the nature of a varia- 
tion exhibited by the species. 


1 Annandale and Prashad, Rec. Jnd. Mus., XVI, p. 146, pl. v, fig. 5 (1919). 


1921. | B. PrasHap: Gastropod Molluscs. 225 


The species is represented in the Mesopotamian collection by 
a large number of dry shells from Basra and a few preserved 
in spirit from the banks of the Euphrates. Most of the specimens 
are rather small but a few measuring up to 35 mm. in length are 
also represented. 


Melanoides pyramis, var. flavida (Nevill). 


1919. Melanoides pyramis var. flavida, Annandale and Prashad, of. 
cit., Pp. 34, 35> 

In the paper cited above we referred to a rather dark speci- 
men of this form collected by Dr. C. I,. Boulenger from the flooded 
area near Khandag creek, Basra, Lower Mesopotamia. ‘This speci- 
men agrees in all particulars with the specimens from the Persian 
frontier and Baluchistan, but is darker in colour. It measures 
27°5 mm. in length by 99 mm. in breadth, the aperture measures 

9°8 mm. by 5°7 mm. 


Genus Melanopsis, Ferussac. 


Melanopsis nodosa, Férussac. 


1874, Melanopsts nodosa, Mousson, Fourn. Conchyliol. XXII, p. 48. 

1874. Melanopsis nodosa, Brot, ‘* Die Melantaceen’’ in Chemnitz, 
Conch.-Cab. (ed. Kiister), p. 432, pl. xvi, figs. 17-24 (in part). 

1918. Melanopsis nodosa, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus., XV, p. 163. 

The species was recorded by Mousson from the Euphrates 
and the Tigris below Mosul on the basis of the collections made 
by Dr. A. Schlaefli in this region, and Annandale has recently 
recorded its occurrence in ower Mesopotamia. 

In the collections made by Dr. C. L. Boulenger and Dr. B.W. 
Bowell the species is represented by a large number of shells from 
Nasariyeh and from Khandag creek, Basra. All the specimens are 
of the typical nodosa-type and none belong to Mousson’s vat. 
moderata, described in his paper cited above. Most of the speci- 
mens are quite fresh and distinctly show the three rows of large 
tubercles on the body-whorl—a characteristic of this species. 

The specimens vary in colour from chestnut-brown to black, 
except for the subfossil shells which are white and chalky. The 
largest specimen measures 234 mm. in length and 11°3 mm. in 
maximum breadth ; the aperture measures Io°8 mm. by 5°2 mm. 


Melanopsis costata (Olivier). 


1874. Melanopsis turcica, Mousson, op. ctt., pp. 48, 49. 

1879. Molanopsts costata, Brot, op. cit., pp. 420-429, pl. xlvi, figs. 4-7. 

1913. Melanopsis costata, Preston, Fourn. As. Soc. Bengal, 1X, p. 467. 

Melanopsis costata is a widely distributed species throughout 

Syria, Palestine and Mesopotamia. In the Mesopotamian collec- 
tions under report, it is represented by shells from the banks of a 
dry creek connected with Diala River between Baguba and Sharo- 
ban, and from the Khandag creek, Basra. 


229 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vox. XVIII, 


The species, though closely allied to M. nodosa, is distin- 
guished from it by the costae on the surface of the shells being 
more regular and continuous and in having two instead of three 
rows of tubercles on the body-whorl. 

In the large series before me there are shells corresponding 
to Brot’s figures of the typical form, var. Bb and M. turcica bellio, 
Parreyss. There are, however, intermediate forms connecting the 
various varieties and it is therefore not necessary to distinguish 
them as different forms. 


Melanopsis subtingitana (Nevill), Annandale. 


1918. Melanopsis subtingitana, Annandale, of. c’t., pp. 163, pl. xx, 

fieSeet. 2, 
This species has only recently been described by Annandale 
from. two shells in the Indian Museum recorded as Melanopsis 


3. 


FrG. 3.—Type-specimen of Melanopsis subtingitana, var. laevis from 


the creek connected with Diala River, Mesopotamia. 


costata, var. by the late Mr. G. Nevill, and from two others from 
Mesopotamia presented to the Indian Museum by Colonel W. H. 
Lane. Dr. Bowell’s collection from Basra also contains a good 
series of the species. These shells agree closely with the type-shells, 
except that most of them are a little Jarger and have the ribs more 
obsolete. 


Var. laevis, nov. 


Two specimens from Mesopotamia, one from the banks of a 
dry creek connected with Diala River between Baguba and Sharo- 
ban collected by Dr. Boulenger, and the other from Basra by Dr. 
Bowell, are so different from the typical M. subtingitana as to 
deserve varietal rank. Both the shells ‘are nearly smooth and 
have the whorls much more regular than in the typical form. In 
other respects the two shells resemble the forma typica. 

Type-specimen No. M 11807/2 in the Zoological Survey of 
India (Indian Museum, Calcutta). 


i) 
No 
NI 


1921.] B. PRASHAD: Gastropod Molluscs. 


Measurements of shells (in millimetres). 


Specimen A is from Basra, and B (the type) from the creek 
connected with the Diala River. 
A. B. 


Length of shell ay 16°8 17°6 
Breadth of shell oe ont eal 8 
Length of aperture 8:2 9° 
Breadth of aperture as of 3°9 5 


NOLES, ON LARVAL, TREMA TO DHS Ho ROM 
S.#.1S TAN. 


By STaNLEY Kemp, Sc.D., Superintendent, Zoological 
Survey of India. 


The following notes on larval trematodes obtained during 
our visit to Seistan are admittedly very incomplete. In the field it 
was not possible to follow out the detailed anatomy of the various 
forms from living specimens and for this, it is to be feared, no 
subsequent work on preserved material can compensate. My 
notes are in the main based on preserved cercariae and on sections of 
infected livers. As a fixative Schaudinn’s solution, used hot, was 
employed ; while for staining haematoxylin followed by eosin gave 
the best results. 

In some instances cercariae were obtained in such small 
numbers that it has not been found possible to give any account of 
their anatomical characters. Of these one is a Xiphidiocercaria 
obtained in Melanotdes pyramis var. flavida at Saindak in the 
extreme west of Baluchistan and the other a furcocercous form 
with extremely long tail-flukes obtained in Gyvaulus euphraticus 
in the Hamun-i-Helmand, Of each of these only a single infection 
was discovered. The other three forms of cercariae are partially 
described below. One of them (Cercaria A) is a leptocercous form 
with rediae resembling those of Fusciola hepatica'. The other two 
(Cercaria B and C) are furcocercous forms ; one of these (B) 
bears a close resemblance to the larva of Schistosoma japonicum, 
but is distinguished by a number of characters. 

For the names of the molluscan hosts I am indebted to 
Dr. Annandale and Dr. Baini Prashad (see page 17 of this volume). 


Cercaria A (text-figs. I a—c). 


In well-preserved specimens the length of the body is from 290 
to 360 » (average 320 ») and the breadth 170 to 220 » (average 200 /). 
The tail is twice or more than twice as long as the body, being 
from 670 to 780 » in length (average 730 »). 

The body (figs. 1 a, 6) is oval in outline, distinctly exca- 
vate posteriorly at the insertion of the tail, and is relatively thick- 
walled. ‘The oral sucker is about 0°05 mm. in diameter. The 
acetabulum is approximately the same size and is situated slightly 
behind the middle of the body. ‘There is a small pharyngeal 
bulb situated on the undivided anterior portion of the gut close to 


1 Erroneously recorded as a monostome on-p. 22 of this volume. 


230 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


the oral sucker. The coeca are long reaching to the distal quarter 
of the body length. Near the junction of the coeca there is a 
cluster of cells which have the appearance of glands, but no 
ducts leading to the oral sucker were detected in the preserved 
material. Close to the tail a small bladder can sometimes be 
observed with traces of a pair of ducts directed anteriorly and 
one running posteriorly down the middle of the tail. 

The most characteristic feature of the anatomy is, however, 
the partially developed gonad which lies immediately above 
the acetabulum. ‘The gonad is very conspicuous in stained 
preparations and in dorsal or ventral view appears T-shaped with a 
fine strand joining each cross-piece to the stem. In reality the 
structure is more complex than this view indicates. The principal 
portion consists of a rod, about twice as long as the diameter 


VExT-FIG. 1.—Cercariae from Seistan. 


a-c. Cercaria A. d-e. Cercaria B. 
Feo CercanianGs \ 


of the acetabulum, which is dilated anteriorly and in its posterior 
third At its hinder end a transverse portion, consisting of a 
slender shaft and swollen head, joins it on either side and each of 
these portions curves downwards, so that the head itself is on 
a much lower level than the central rod from which it arises 
(fig. tc). From the head of each transverse portion a fine strand 
runs forward ; the two unite and the single strand so formed meets 
the dilated anterior part of the main axis on its ventral side. The 
disposition of the parts, as seen obliquely from the side, is indicat- 
ed in text-fig. tc. Thestructure is remarkably constant in form, 
showing little variations in fully grown and well preserved 
individuals. 

__ The space between the gut and the body-wall is filled 
with large cells which lie with their long axes placed transversely. 


1921. ] S. Kemp: Larval Trematodes. 231 


The cercariae develop in rediae which, as in those of Fasciola 
hepatica, bear a pair of processes near the hinder end ; they reach 
a maximum length of about 2°5 mm. 

Cercaria A was found in specimens of Limnaea bactriana, 
Hutton, living in small irrigation channels close to the British 
Consulate at Nasratabad in Seistan. Of one hundred molluscs 
which were examined for parasites nine contained this Cercaria. 


Cercaria B (text-figs. 1 d, e). 


This is a furcocercous form which appears to resemble rather 
closely the larva of Schistosoma japonicum as described by Cort.' 

The body in well-preserved specimens is from 167 to 193» in 
length and the mean of a number of observations is 186. Its 
breadth varies from 41 to 52, the mean being 48. The undivided 
part of the tail is from 192 to 222, with mean of 208; the furca 
are from 62 to 67 , with mean of 64h. 

The oral sucker is from 31 to 33, in diameter and the 
acetabulum from 22 to 23 p. 

The alimentary canal appears to be altogether absent and the 
body is for the most part filled with large gland cells (figs. I d, e). 
The four anterior gland cells differ very decidedly in character 
from the remainder, for in preparations treated with eosin the 
posterior cells are always very heavily stained, while the four 
anterior remain colourless. No ducts leading forwards from the 
four anterior cells could be traced in preserved material, though on 
analogy with similar forms it is probable that they really exist. 
The ducts from the posterior cells stain readily with eosin and are 
very conspicuous. ‘The number of posterior cells appears to be six, 
making five pairs of cells in all; but two are usually concealed by 
others which overlie them. 

On either side of the ducts from the gland cells, in the 
anterior half of the body length there is a small semitransparent 
area which perhaps represents an unpigmented eye-spot. _ Poster- 
ior to the acetabulum the beginnings of the gonad are visible, 
consisting of a mass of cells which is usually crescentic in form 
when seen in dorso-ventral view. 

This cercaria, so far as can be seen from preserved material, 
seems akin to that of Schistosoma japonicum or, more nearly, 
to the very closely allied form from Bengal recently described 
by Major Sewell (loc. cit.). There are, however, marked differences. 
In the Seistan cercaria the tail-flukes appear proportionately 
shorter, the acetabulum larger and unpigmented eye-spots are 
perhaps present. No trace of the gut could be found, nor of teeth 
on the anterior sucker. 

Cercaria B was found in specimens of Gyraulus convexiusculus 
(Hutton) obtained in the Hamun-i-Heimand, Seistan. Forty-three 


! Cort, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., XVIII, p. 485 (1919) ; see also Sewell, 
Rec. Ind. Mus., XVI, p. 425 (1919). 


232 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


G. convexiusculus were examined of which three contained examples 
of the parasite. 


Cercaria C (text-fig. 1 /). 


The cercaria is a furcocercous form, similar in most respects in 
its internal anatomy to Cercaria B. It is, however, a much larger 
form and possesses pigmented eye-spots. 

In well-preserved specimens the body is from 188 to 230 p 
in length and from 56 to 80, in breadth, the mean of a number 
of observations being 206 by 70. The undivided part of the tail 
is from 247 to 360,, with mean of 305, and the furca are 
from 106 to 136 », with mean of 120. 

The internal anatomy, so far as it can be made out, is 
very similar to that of Cercaria B; the same gland cells are to 
be seen and in stained specimens the four anterior cells differ in the 
same way from those placed further back. The gonad, however, is 
not crescentic in dorso-lateral view, the acetabulum is smaller and 
the eye-spots are deeply pigmented and black in colour. 

This cercaria was found with the preceding in specimens 
of Gyraulus convexiusculus (Hutton) obtained in the Hamun-i- 
Helmand, Seistan. ‘Iwo molluscs, out of forty-three which were 
examined, contained examples of the parasite. 


ADDENDUM. 


With Dr. Kemp’s permission I add here three figures of 
the parasite of Schizothorax zarudnyi referred to by Mr. S. L. Hora 


TexT-F1G, 2.—Parasite from Schizothorax zarudnyt. 


and myself on p. 173 of this volume. The figures have been 
placed at my disposal by Major R. B. Seymour Sewell, I.M.S. 
and represent three views of the animal as seen as a solid object (A) 
and mounted in glycerine (B & C) after extraction from the 
cysts in the muscles of the fish. Their magnification is not stated, 
but it is at least 12 as reproduced. ‘The structure of the organism is 
so enigmatic that none of us are able even to suggest its taxonomic 
position. - The preservative had apparently failed to penetrate the 


192T.] S. Kemp: Larval Trematodes. 233 


peculiar cylinder in the interior of the ‘animal and sections were 
a complete failure. Major Sewell notes in explanation of his figures 
that there is a more or less well-defined groove round what appears 
to be the anterior extremity and sucker-like disc (s) in the middle 
of the (?) ventral surface. The (?) posterior part of the organism 
is divided by faint grooves (g), as shown in fig. A. These are 
visible only on the (presumed) ventral surface. On the dorsal 
surface, near the posterior extremity, there is a small aperture (). 
The outer parts seem to form a kind of test, lined by a thin 
membrane, and inside this there is a cylindrical body (c) with an 
apparently chitinous investment. At the end nearest the (?) 
dorsal grooves the extremity of this body is contracted to form 
a collar (7). Though the specimens had been fixed in Schaudinn’s 
fluid and were apparently well preserved, no further structure 
could be made out.—N. Annandale. 


eee eae aes ts ree 


PEA OU A CCEA UN ARO (S Eats a AGN 
A SUMMARY. 


By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Director, Zoological 
Survey of India. 


The aquatic fauna of Seistan is a scanty one, fairly rich in 
individuals, as is usual in a fauna living in abnormal conditions, 
but poor in species. The most salient fact about it is that it is 
essentially a mountain fauna acclimatized to live in a swampy 
depression. Before discussing its geographical and biological rela- 
tions as a whole I will first consider briefly the different species 
found in the different bodies of water that exist in the country, 
viz. desert springs, stagnant pools, rivers and other water courses, 
and the Hamun-i-Helmand or basin into which the Helmand 
finally drains. An account of these will be found in the Introduc- 
tion to this volume. 1 have given in foot-notes references to the 
species of animals not otherwise noticed in the volume. 


THE FAUNA OF SPRINGS IN THE SEISTAN 
DESERT. 


In our hurried journey across the desert of Seistan and the 
Afghan-Perso-Baluch frontier we had little opportunity to examine 
many of the springs we passed, but those we did examine were 
very uniform in their animal life, which did not appear to be much 
affected by the varying degrees of salinity of water accepted under 
stress of necessity as potable by man and beast. None of the 
springs contained fish, but all the larger ones had a small but 
healthy fauna of molluscs, insects, Entomostraca and leeches. 

MoxiLusca. Only three species of molluscs were found, Mela- 
noides pyramis (Benson), Gyraulus euphraticus, Mousson and Cor- 
bicula fluminalis (Miller). Of these the most commonly present 
was the Melanoides. Of this species all our specimens belonged to 
Nevill’s var. favida, a form perhaps peculiar to situations of the 
kind and originally described from Persian Baluchistan. The shell, 
though not of the largest size attained by the species, is not 
dwarfed or in any way distorted. A single specimen of this race 
is also known from Mesopotamia. The Gyraulus is perfectly 
normal, though found in water distinctly bitter to the taste. It is 
noteworthy that the species has an extraordinarily wide range 
(from Mesopotamia to China) and must, therefore, be extremely 
adaptable. Thesameis true of the Corbicula, which is found practi- 
cally all over Africa and southern and middle Asia, was originally 


236 Records cf the Indian Museum. [Vou Sey ida 


described from Mesopotamia and occurs fossil in Great Britain. 
Shells from the springs are smaller and rather thinner than usual 
and perhaps a little broader in proportion to their height, but 
specimens from larger bodies of water exhibit great individual 
variation in these respects, merging gradually into the thick narrow 
form called C. cor by many conchologists. 

The molluscs of the springs, therefore, may be said to show 
very little response to their environment in structure. 

Insecta. Insect life, even in the middle of winter, is by no 
means deficient in the springs. The most abundant and the most 
commonly observed species was the mosquito,' Theobaldta longi- 
areolata, the larva of which was found in water so saline as to be 
almost undrinkable, as well as in the excellent spring at Hurmuk, 
claimed locally to contain the finest water in all Iran. Both 
larvae and pupae were seen in December and imagines were 
observed hatching out. The latter, which were common also at 
Nasratabad, were, however, very sluggish at this season and made 
no attempt to suck blood. 


Small Rhynchota of the family Corixidae were frequently 
noted in the springs and in that at Hurmuk two species of 
Micronecta (M.desertana and M. biskrensts) were abundant. The 
former has been described by Mr. Distant as a new species, while 
the latter was described by Horvath from the oasis of Biskra in 
the Algerian desert. 

Small Hydrophilid and Dytiscid beetles are not uncommon, 
and a large species of the latter family was captured in the spring 
at Hurmuk. 

CRUSTACEA. ‘The only Crustacea seen in the springs were 
Ostracods, which often swarmed on the bottom. In asample from 
an artificial tank containing water pumped from a spring in the 
Baluch desert Mr. Gurney found tests of Cyprinotus incongruens 
and flyocypris bradyi, both widely distributed species. 

HIRUDINEA, So far as I can judge, oniy one species of leech 
(Limnatts nilotica) occurs in the springs. It is common in all those 
at which transport animals are watered and is dangerous both to 
men and animals owing to its habit of entering their mouths while 
they are drinking and sticking to the tongue or pharyngeal wall. 


THE FAUNA OF STAGNANT - POOLS: 


Under this heading I propose to consider pools connected 
neither with water-courses nor with small desert springs. Such 
pools are found occasionally in depressions, probably always of 
artificial origin, in Seistan and apparently owe their water to 
percolation. ‘The largest pool of the kind we saw was at the village 
of Daulatabad towards the south of the country. It formed a 
fairly large village pond and lay at the base of a low ridge of stiff 


! For the identification of this mosquito and of the other Nemocera mentioned 
in this paper | have to thank Mr. Edwards of the British Museum. 


1921. |] N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Seistan. 237 


clay on which the village was built. Even in December it contained | 
a considerable quantity of water, which was very foul but ap- 
parently slightly saline. It was used by the villagers for all 
domestic purposes. There was no macroscopic vegetation, but 
much evidence of the presence of a luxuriant growth of microscopic 
algae was present. 

The macroscopic fauna of this pond consisted, so far as we 
were able to discover, of arthropods only. Cladocera, including 
large Daphniids aud Copepoda, were abundant, but circumstances 
did not allow of their collection. The most noteworthy features 
were the wealth of insect life and the large size of some of the 
species present. This was particularly noteworthy in the Rhyn- 
chota, the representatives of which are mostly very small in Seistan. 
As at other places the only families of this order that we could find 
were the Corixidae and the Notonectidae, but in the latter family 
the relatively large and very widely distributed Notonecta glauca, 
which we did not see elsewhere in Seistan, was common, while in 
the Corixidae Macrocorisa geffrovi was also present in large 
numbers. Dipterous larvae were abundant, the most conspicuous 
being an exceptionally large Chironomid, the imagines of which 
were observed hatching out from the pupae on the surface. 
Water-beetles, including large Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae of 
moderate size, were numerous. 

The only other pools of the sort in which we collected were 
those in the parade-grcund at Nasratabad. They occupied pits 
from which clay had been extracted for brick-making. Their water 
was fouled by the camels and donkeys that frequented them, but 
not or hardly saline. It was six or seven feet deep in places but 
blocked up by a profuse growth of the water-weed Zannichellia 
palustris. Insects, Entomostraca and molluscs were rich in indivi- 
duals, but the number of species was small. No large species of 
Rhy nchota were seen, but several species of Notonectidae and 
Corixidae were abundant. Mr. Distant has identified the following 
forms :—-A nisops fieberi and Corixa affinis. 

Mr. Gurney found the following species of Entomostraca in 
the collections made :—CLADOCERA : Daphnia magna, Simocephalus 
vetulus. COPEPODA: Cyclops strenutus, C. eek OSTRACODA : 
Eucypris clavata, Ilvocypris bradyt, Potamocy pris villosa ; all com- 
mon and widely ‘distributed forms. 

The molluscs present were Limnaea bactriana, Gyraulus ecu- 
phraticus, G. convextusculus and Corbicula Auminalis, all common 
species in Seistan and found, with the exception of the Limnaea, 
in all bodies of water containing luxuriant submerged vegetation 
in the country. L. bactriana, which appears to be mainly a pond 
mollusc, was found only in those pools and in small water-courses 
at the same place. 


FAUNA OF IRRIGATION CHANNELS. 


The small irrigation channels that form a close net-work 
over the whole of the habitable part of Seistan have, at any rate in 


238 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. XVInE 


December, a very poor fauna. This is not altogether surprising, 
for the water in most of them is at that season intermittent, being 
shut off for several days each week. Even, however, where the 
stoppage of the flow does not cause desiccation and where a spe- 
cies of broad-leafed Potamogeton flourishes very few macroscopic 
animals could be found and even insects and Entomostraca were 
extremely scarce, if not altogether absent. The only crustacean 
obtained from this habitat was a single specimen of the Concho- 
stracous Leptestherta tenuis. A small Tipulid fly (Symflecta elong- 
ata), the only species in our collection described from Persia proper, 
was common on the damp mud at the edge of similar channels and 
probably bred in them. 

In the garden of the British Consulate at Nasratabad we 
examined an artificial water-course which had, however, a much 
richer vegetation and fauna, probably owing to the fact that it 
was less liable to desiccation and received the benefit of manure 
applied to the garden through which it flowed. Its flow was, how- 
ever, intermittent like that of the irrigation channels outside, from 
one of which it received its supply. The vegetation consisted 
mainly of a narrow-leafed species of Potamogeton and of Zanni- 
chellia palustris, but a filamentous green alga forming cloud-like 
masses was also abundant. The water was fresh or practically so. 
The fauna was sufficiently rich to be treated group by group. 

Fisu.—Shoals of the small Cyprinid Discognathus adiscus oc- 
curred, remaining at the bottom in the day-time but rising to the 
surface in the evening. Among them was found a single specimen 
of D. phryne. The first species is known only from Seistan, while 
the second is common in the hill-country of Baluchistan. 

MoLLuscA.—The same molluscs were found as in the pools on 
the parade-ground hard by, namely Limnaea bactriana, Gyraulus 
euphraticus, G. convexiusculus and Corbicula fluminalis. No differ- 
ence in the shell of any of these species could be discovered. A few 
empty shells of Segmentina calathus, a widely distributed North 
Indian species, were also obtained from this channel. 

ARTHROPODA.—The insects and Entomostraca of the channel 
were the same, or practically the same, as those of the pools on the 
parade-ground. 

OLIGOCHAETA.—The little Oligochaete worm Nats communis 
var. pumjabensis was found in considerable abundance and in in- 
teresting circumstances. It inhabited small mucilaginous tubes, 
probably stolen from a Dipterous iarva, in masses of filamentous 
algae and to each of the tubes a colony of the polyzoon Lopho podetla 
cartert was attached. N. communis is a cosmopolitan species and 
the var. punjabensis is common in Northern India. Col. Stephenson! 
found among our specimens of this little worm a single individual 
probably belonging to another species common in North India, 
namely Chaetogaster punjabensis. 


| Stephenson, Mem. Ind. Mus. VII, p. 196 (1920). 


1g2t.] N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Seistan. 239 


Poiyzoa.—Lophopodella carteri was the only member of this 
group observed. Its geographical range is now known to be exclu- 
sively Asiatic, but to extend from Eastern Persia to Japan, the 
Chinese and Japanese race being slightly differentiated. It is not 
by any means always associated with Oligochaete worms, but a 
Chironomid larva not infrequently establishes itself at the base 
of the colony. 


DELTAIC FAUNA OF THE HELMAND AND ITS 
EFFLUENTS. 


We were unable to visit the main branches of the Helmand in 
its inland delta, but collections of fish and molluscs were made in 
this region by Sir Henry MacMahon and other officers of the 
Seistan Arbitration Commission. ‘The fish they obtained were :— 
Scaphiodon macmahont, Discognathus phryne, Schizothorax zarudnyt, 
Schizopygopsis stoliczkae, Nemachilus stoliczkae, Adiposia rhadinaea 
and A. macmahoni. Of these only three (D. phryne, Sch, zarudnyt 
and A. macmahoni) were found in the smaller streams of Seistan. 

The molluscs collected by the Commission in the Seistan delta 
were Vivipara helmandica,' Lamellidens marginalis and Corbicula 
fluminalis. Of the first of these only single empty shells were 
found by us in other parts of Seistan, except for a number of com- 
pletely bleached specimens found in a flood-deposit. There is, 
therefore, some reason to regard the species as peculiar to the 
estuaries of the Helmand, as it has not been found except in Seistan 
and the immediate vicinity to the east. The two bivalves are 
common throughout Seistan, in which the Lamellidens has become 
differentiated into a distinct race (vhadinaea). Shells from the 
Heimand are thinner and smaller than those from other parts of the 
country. The Corbicula is remarkable for its extreme variability. 

We examined smaller streams of the deltaic system of the 
Helmand in the immediate vicinity of Nasratabad, near the ruined 
city of Jellalabad some 12 miles to the north and at Chilling consi- 
derably futher south. Where the water was actually flowing the 
fauna was very scanty, but the high clay banks were full of 
bleached shells of Corbicula fluminalis and often of Limnaea gedro- 
siana and the diferent Planorbidae found in the country. 

Insect-life is usually scarce in such streams, but a noteworthy 
feature of those of Seistan is that the Hydrometridae often seen on 
the surface of the stiller pools are replaced, at any rate in winter, 
by Diptera of the family Ephydridae, which were often observed in 
large numbers resting on the surface film. Mr. Brunetti’ has 
described a species (Halmopota viridescens) from Seistan that 
‘*skates’’ much like Gerrits. 

Near Jellalabad we found the Randa stream practically dry, 
except for shallow pools left in the bed and completely isolated. 


! See Annadale, Rec. /nd. Mus. XIX, p. 114 (1920). 
? Brunetti, Rec. Ind. Mus. XVI, p. 300 (1919). 


240 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 
he water in these pools was apparently fresh but very foul as 
wandering Baluchis watered their sheep, goats and donkeys at 
them. Most of the fish and other animals were dying in them in 
large numbers. The fauna was, or had been, fairly rich, but there 
was no macroscopic vegetation in an active state of growth. 
Remains of reeds and a few moribund plants of a broad-leafed 
Potamogeton were observed in several of the pools and the nodular 
roots of some plant were common in the water, evidently in a 
resting state. The fauna may be dealt with group by group. 

Frsu.—Four species of fish were found in the pools, viz. Dis- 
cognathus adiscus, Schizothovax zarudnyt, Schizocypris brucei and 
Adiposia macmahom. Of the Schizothorax only young and halt- 
grown individuals were obtained, although we had the pools netted 
by Seistani fishermen. Both this species and D. adiscus were 
extremely abundant. The Schizocypris, of which we saw only 
young specimens, were much less abundant. The Adzpfosia was 
present in large numbers. This fish differs from the others in 
being a burrowing form. It was the only species in the pools that 
was ina healthy condition in December, the majority of the others 
being dead or moribund. Its stomach-contents consisted of the 
remains of Cyprinid fish and of May-fly larvae. 

Moztusca. With the exception of afew dead shells of Gyraulus 
euphraticus and G. convextusculus and one of Vivipara hilmandensis 
found among the remains of reeds inone or two of the pools, the 
only specimens of Mollusca we obtained from them were shells of 
Lamellidens marginalis rhadinacus and Corbicula fluminalis. AN 
those of the former species were empty, but a few living individuals 
of the Corbicu/a were dug from the mud, in which they were buried 
four to six inches deep. 

InsEcTA. The insect-fauna of the pools was scanty so far as 
most groups were concerned, but the larva of a large May-fly, 
probably identical with the common European Palingenia longicau- 
da, was abundant in the mud and we obtained three species of 
Rhynchota from the pools, namely Corixa hieroglyphica, C. affinis 
andC. vandana, anew species described by Mr. Distant. C. hierogly- 
phica and C. affinis are both Indian. 

‘CRUSTACEA. Numerous specimens of the crab Potamon gedro- 
slanum were dug from the mud, in which they were apparently 
hibernating with Corbicula, Palingena larvae and the fish Adiposia 
macmahont. The range of the crab extends from the Punjab Salt 
Range to Seistan. 

PotyzoA. An interesting member of this group [Plumatella 
(Afrindella) persica, sp.nov.] was found in one of the pools, coating 
the stems and nodular roots of the plant to which I have referred 
above. ‘The animal has not as yet been found elsewhere. 

Near Nasratabad we visited a number of shallow pools which 
in the flood season were evidently backwaters of streams or large 
irrigation channels. In most of them the only traces of vegetation 
were the roots and dead stems of reeds and dried masses of fila- 
mentous algae stranded on land plants growing near the margin. 


Tg2t. | N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Setstan. 241 


In drift of fragments of reeds, etc., that surrounded most of these 
pools, dead shells of Limnaea gedrosiana and the other common 
molluscs. of the country, including one of the few endemic species 
(Amnicola sistanica), were abundant, with the statoblasts of Lopho- 
podella and the gemmules of the sponges Sfongilla alba and S. 
(Eunapius) carter. 

In most of the pools we found no macroscopic life, but in one, 
in which a broad-leaved Potamogeton was common though not in a 
flourishing condition, Disocgnathus adiscus and young specimens 
of Schizothorax zarudnyi were abundant. Schizocypris brucei were 
also found, but in much smaller numbers. A peculiar form of 
Limnaea gedrosiana was also common in this pool. It is distin- 
guished from the forma typica of the species by its much greater 
individual variability and by the fact that the curve of the outer 
lip of the shell is flattened to a straight line. This mollusc, for 
which the varietal name vectilabrum has been proposed, has been 
found elsewhere only in the Kushdil Khan reservoir in the north 
of the hill-country of Baluchistan. The reservoir is a large, 
shallow artificial lake witha luxuriant submerged vegetation in 
winter, but liable to complete desiccation in summer. ‘The speci- 
mens of the mollusc from Seistan were mostly infected bv the 
common North Indian Oligocheate worm Chaetogaster bengalensts, 
which frequented their pulmonary chamber in large numbers. 


THE FAUNA OF THE HAMUN-I-HELMAND. 


The Hamun-i-Helmand, or rather that part of it which is 
permanently filled with fresh or nearly fresh water, may be divided 
into three zones of life, that of the open lake, that of the reed- 
beds and that of the bare margin. 

The zone of the open lake may be called more appropriately 
the Central Region. It is that part of the lake which is free from 
reeds and always, except in abnormal droughts, contains several 
feet of water. The reed-beds form in winter what is called in 
Persian the matzar or reed-country, but the name maz is applied in 
Seistan particularly to Phragmites, which is the most abundant of 
the three species of which the reed-beds are composed, namelv 
Phragmites communts, Scirpus littoralis and Typha angustifolia. 
In the flood-season a great area in the mazzary is under water and 
even when the water is low, as it is in December, the reed-beds 
extend out into the lake for considerable distances. In discussing 
the fauna of this zone we must, therefore, consider both the species 
living in pools among the reeds and also those of which remains 
are found in a dead or dormant condition in the soil of the nazzar, 
By the zone of the bare region I mean the shore of the lake at or 
just below low-water level at places where there are no reeds. 

THE FAUNA OF THE CENTRAL REGION. In December this region 
is very poor in life, both animal and vegetable. The bottom is a 
stiff, sticky clay which supports but a scanty growth of water- 
plants. A few beds of Potamogeton lucens, none of them at all 


242 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoL. XVIII, 


luxuriant, were all that were observed. On the bottom, shells of 
Lamellidens marginalis race rhadinaeus and Corbicula fluminalis 
were abundant, but no living specimens were obtained. On one 
of these shells a living colony of the Polyzoon Fredericella sultana 
race jordanica was observed. Fish were very scarce, but we saw 
fishermen catching Schizothorax zarudnyi in nets in the open lake, 
near a reed-bed. 

THE FAUNA OF THE REED-BEDS. This fauna is much the 
richest, or rather the least impoverished, in the lake. It is con-. 
centrated in small, comparatively deep pools which are choked 
even in December with submerged vegetation. In the composition 
of this, Potamogeton pectinatus is the dominant plant, but FP. 
perifoliatus, Nats major and at least one species of Characeae also 
occur. 

Among the reeds very few fish are found, and of those we 
caught all belong to one species (Discognathus adiscus) and seemed 
to be in a moribund condition; but the more open channels in the 
reed-beds are the proper home of Schizothorax zarudnyt, the largest 
fish found in Seistan and apparently the only one caught for 
food. 

Limnaea gedrosiani, Gyraulus cuphraticus and G. convexiusculus 
were the commonest molluscs in the small pools, but a few small 
specimens of Ammnicola sistanica were also found. Shells of this 
species, Jn much greater abundance and of a larger size, were dug 
from the soil of the natzar. The Limnaea belonged to the typical 
form of the species but the shells were smaller and a little 
narrower than those found in ponds at Quetta. 

Insect-life was less abundant in this region than might have 
been expected. Larvae of Chironomid Diptera were fairly common, 
and so were those of two species of dragonflies. Major Fraser 
thinks that one of these is probably the larva of the common 
Palaearctic Agrionid Ischnura elegans, while he states that the 
other ‘‘ combines some of the features of an Agrionine with those 
of a Lestine.”’ He remarks that it is unusual to find dragonfly 
larvae active in winter, as these species were. 

Adu!t insects were less abundant, both in the pools and among 
the reeds, than larvae. Mr. Edwards has found in our collection 
several species of Chironmus, all allied to, if not identical with 
European species but unfortunately, owing to an accident, not in 
sufficiently good condition for specific determination. 

The Entomostraca found in this habitat were cosmopolitan 
species common in similar situations in other countries. None of 
the higher Crustacea were seen. 

A sponge and two species of Polyzoa were fairly common on 
the stems of Typha. The sponge was a phase of the cosmopolitan 
Ephydatia fluviatilis and one of the Polyzoa an equally cosmopolitan 
species, Fvedericella sultana. ‘The latter belonged to a race (jorda- 
nica) hitherto known only from the Jordan and the Volga system, 
while the other member of the same group [Plumatella (Hyalinella) 
bigemmis] has been described as new in this volume. 


FOZ: | N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Seistan. 243 


MARGINAL FAauNA. The marginal fauna is very scanty. It 
includes no molluscs, fish ot crustacea, and in winter we found no 
aquatic insects. The lower surfaces of blocks of clay, however, 
were covered with a fairly luxuriant growth of Ephydatia fluvia- 
tilts, in a different phase from that found in the reed-beds, and of 
Fredcricella sultana jordanica. ‘The latter were covered with Vorti- 
cellid Protozoa. Just above the water-level certain insects were 
not uncommon in the same position, notably the Tipulid Symplecta 
punctipennis, at least two species of Ephydrid flies, and a cricket 
(Achtea bimaculata) also found in a similar habitat on the shore of 
the Lake of Tiberias. 


COMPOSITION OF THE FAUNA AS A WHOLE. 


The composition of the aquatic fauna of Seistan cannot be 
described as abnormal, but there are certain deficiencies that call 
for discussion. Some of these are due to geographical cause, 
which will be discussed later, but others are not so easily explained 
and evidently depend on some factor in the environment nct yet 
elucidated. The most noteworthy are the apparent absence of 
Crustacea Amphipoda and of most families of aquatic Rhynchota. 
Freshwater Amphipods are scarce in the plains of India and asa 
ruie occur only in the large rivers, in which the species are im- 
migrants from the sea.!. At even moderately high altitudes in the 
Himalayas, however, species of Gammarus and Talorchestia occur 
and in the Quetta district of Baluchistan, between 5,000 and 6,000 
heetaralt least two species are abundant in every spring — stream. 
We could find none in Seistan. 

The absence of all aquatic Rhynchota except Notonectidac 
and Corixidae struck us very much in Seistan, particularly in 
reference to that of the surface-haunting Hydrometridae. It is of 
course possible that we failed to find these species in winter be- 
cause they were hibernating, but this is improbable for two rea- 
sons, fitstly, because we sought for them carefully in spots in 
which they might have been expected to conceal themselves had 
they left the water temporarily, and secondly, because they are not 
uncommon on the water at the same season in adjacent districts. 
Dr. Kemp found a Miucrovelia abundant on the Zanginawar 
I,akes in the eastern part of the Baluch desert in December, and 
I noted a Gerrzs on small streams near Peshawar in large numbers 
in January. In neither instance was the temperature higher than 
it was in Seistan in November and December. The line of vege- 
table debris that marks the flood level on the bare shores of the 
Hamun-i-Helmand would seem to be an ideal retreat for hiber- 
nating Hydrometridae and we found amongst the fragments of 
reeds, etc., two species of Reduviid Rhynchota, several species of 
Carabid and Staphylinid and one of Curculionid beetles, at least 
two species of Diptera, a cricket and an earwig, a wood- louse and a 


! Cf. Chilton, Rec. Ind. Mus. XIX, p. 79 (1920). 


244 Records of the Indian Museum. (Von. XVIII, 


toad (Bufo viridis), all in a more or less torpid condition; but no 
Hydrometrid. Indeed, it seemed to us that this family was toa 
large extent replaced by Diptera, such as Halmopota viridescen:, 
Brunetti, which skated on the surface of the water in almost the 
same way as these Rhynchota do. 

The absence of molluscs of the family Melaniidae from the 
Hamun-i-Helmand and the waters connected with it is another 
point worthy of note. In the extreme south of Seistan we found 
one form (Melanoides pyramis var. flavida) in a desert spring, but 
neither living molluscs nor empty shells were found at any place in 
the irrigated part of the country. The absence of species of this 
genus, one of which is not uncommon in adjacent districts, may 
perhaps be due to lack of nutriment or the presence of mineral 
salts in the mud of which they invariably feed. 

In other respects the limitations of the fauna seem to be due 
rather to geographical factors than to any peculiarities of the 
environment. 


GEOGRAPHICAL RELATIONS OF THE FAUNA. 


In considering the geographical relations of the aquatic fauna 
of Seistan five facts must be borne in mind :—firstly, that the 
country lies well within the limits of the Palaearctic Region and 
is separated from India not only by several hundreds of miles 
of desert but also by the great mass of mountains that occupies the 
more important part of Afghanistan and Baluchistan and juts down 
southwards almost to the Mekran coast west of the Indus; secondly, 
that the only waterways that reach it, and probably ever have 
reached it, com@from the east and the north; thirdly, that even 
these waterways are of recent origin in their present course ; fourth- 
ly, that it is much depressed below the surrounding districts, and 
fifthly, that the aquatic fauna, as follows from the third and fourth 
facts, is composed of immigrants from high mountainous tracts. 

These facts account for many of its deficiencies, for example 
for the absence of aquatic Chelonia and Caridea, both of which are 
unknown from the higher regions of Central Asia. To the same ~ 
facts we may trace the paucity of genera in the fish and molluscs, 
contrasted with the relative wealth of sponges and Polyzoa. It 
will be interesting to apply these deductions to the different groups 
of animals that are represented in turn. 

Of the three Batrachia known to inhabit Seistan two are per- 
haps the most widely distributed of all the Palaearctic frogs and 
toads, namely Rana esculenta and Bufo viridis. One of these has 
evidently been stayed in its eastward range by the mass of moun- 
tains to which I have already referred. It does not seem to have pene- 
trated beyond the eastern limits of the Baluch desert, or, from the 
north into the valleys of the western Himalayas, in which the toad 
has madeitself athome. The fact that Rana esculenta is represented 
in Seistan and western Baluchistan by the race dibunda hardly 
affects the situation, as this race itself has an immense range in 


1921I.| N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Seistan. 245 


Eastern Europe, Western and Central Asia. The third Batrachian, 
Rana cyanophlyctis, has a much more peculiar geographical distri- 
bution—from near Aden to Penang. It is perhaps the commonest 
and most universally distributed of the Indian frogs, at all alti- 
tudes up to nearly 7,000 feet, but east of the Bay of Bengal becomes 
extremely rare. Throughout the greater part of its range no 
racial characters have been discovered, but in Seistan it is said 
to be distinguished by the size of its eyes and tympanum. If 
this -be so—I have seen no specimens of the race setstanica of 
Nikolsky—the race provides evidence of the complete isolation of 
Seistan from other parts of the range of the species. 

The number of fish (9 species in 7 genera) known from Seistan 
is small considering that the country possesses that rarest of 
phenomena in Central Asia and Persia, a freshwater lake; but here 
again the same facts are illustrated. This becomes clearer if we 
examine the fish-fauna in detail. Of the nine species three belong 
to the Central Asiatic subfamily Schizothoracinae, which are in a 
sense anadromous fish though far separated from the sea, three to 
the Cyprininae, which may be regarded as the dominant group 
in the great suborder Cyprinoidea, perhaps the most successful and 
characteristic of all the non-migratory freshwater fish, and three to 
the Cobitidae, a family of wide range in the Palaearctic and 
Oriental Regions and modified primarily for life on or in a soft 
bottom in water of no great speed. 

Of the three Schizothoracinae one (Schizothorax zarudmyt) is 
indigenous to Seistan, but is little more than a local race of a 
species found in mountain streams at much higher altitudes to the 
north-east, another is identical with a species of similar habitat, 
namely Schizopygopsis stoliczkae, while the third has been known 
hitherto from Waziristan in the extreme east of the mass of moun- 
tains that forms the ultimate barrier between the Oriental and 
Palaearctic Regions in the Indian Empire. This is Schizocypris 
brucei. ‘The Schizothoracinae are the most characteristic of the 
fish of the highlands of Central Asia, and particularly of the northern 
watershed of the Himalayas and Hindu Kush. A few species, 
including some of the least modified forms, have made their way 
across the great divide and live in the streams of the southern 
watershed and even in those on the lower slopes of the Himalayas 
and in the plains immediately at their base. It is not to these 
forms that the Schizothoracinae of Seistan are related, but to true 
Central Asiatic species. 

The Cyprininae of Seistan belong to two genera, Discognathus 
and Scaphiodon. The latter seems to have its headquaters in 
Baluchistan and not to be essentially a mountain-dweller, while 
Discognathus, which is replaced in India by the closely allied but 
more specialized genus Garva, occurs in Syria, Mesopotamia, E. 
Persia, Baluchistan and Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of 
India. Neither genus is found in the highlands of Central Asia, 
and though both live commonly in hilly country, neither inhabits 
high mountainous regions. 


240 Records of the Indian Museum. [VOrL. 2 valida 


The Cobitidae of Seistan, on the other hand, must be associat- 
ed with the Schizothoracinae in origin. Two of the three species 
belong to the peculiar genus Adzposia, otherwise only known from 
Turkestan, and are apparently endemic as species. ‘The third 
(Nemachilus stoliczkae) belongs to a group in its genus characteristic 
of the Central Asiatic highlands, and resembles its namesake of 
the genus Schizopygopsis in geographical range. 

The majority of the fish of Seistan are, therefore, without 
doubt of Central Asiatic origin and can only have reached Seistan 
from the northern watershed of the Hindu Kush, while a minority 
have probably arrived in the district from the lower parts of 
Baluchistan. 

From a geographical point of view, the molluscs are perhaps 
the most interesting group in our fauna except the fish. They 
differ considerably from the true Eurasian species that have pene- 
trated from Central Asia as far south as the valley of Kashmir, and 
almost as much from those characteristic of the Persian Plateau. 
This fact is illustrated equally well by the species and genera that 
are present and by those that are absent. The Seistan fauna in- 
cludes none of the widely-distributed Eurasian species found in 
Kashmir, such as Limnaea stagnalis and Bithynia tentaculata, 
nor does it include any representative of the essentially Eastern 
Palaearctic genus Melanopsis, common in Persia proper and 
Mesopotamia, or of Bullinus, one species of which is common in 
Mesopotamia. ‘The species of Limnaea that do occur bear a 
distinct resemblance to European forms, but at least one of 
them (L. bactriana) also resembles an Indian form, L. chlamys. 
The three species of this genus, one of which (L.hordeum) is 
very rare and is only known from empty and possibly sub- 
fossil shells have all been found also in Lower Mesopotamia, though 
not in Persia proper, but are not dominant in the former 
country. Two of them (L. bactriana and L. gedrosiana) also 
occur commonly in the hill-country of Baluchistan and Afghanis- 
tan, but not, so far as we know, at high altitudes. The three 
Planorbidae have a wide range both in the Oriental Region 
and in neighbouring districts. That of the two species of Gyraulus 
(G. convexiusculus and G. euphraticus, extends at any rate from 
Mesopotamia to Burma and all over the Indian Empire, while 
the third species of the family (Segmentina calathus) is found in 
Burma and Sumatra as well as in northern India. The occurrence 
of a species of Vzvipara in Seistan is an interesting feature. The 
genus is practically cosmopolitan, but for some unaccountable reason 
is absent from Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, the greater part 
of Persia and Baluchistan. Among living species the Seistan form 
(V. helmandica) is most closely related to one from Sind (V. sindica). 
It is, however, still more closely related to a fossil (tertiary) species 
from the Bugti Hills in south-eastern Baluchistan. Indeed, it 
can be separated specifically from the fossil form only with difh- 
culty. Both V. helmandica and the only Unionid known from 
Seistan afford clear evidence of the existence of an Indian element 


1g2I.| N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Seistan. 247 


in the fauna. The bivalve, indeed, Lameliidens marginalis rhadt- 
naeus, is only a local race of one of the commonest Indian species. 

The scarcity of endemic species of molluscs of Seistan is 
noteworthy as providing additional evidence for the recent origin 
of the fauna. Only two species apparently belong to this category, 
namely Amnzicola sistanica and Vivipara helmandica. 

The aquatic molluscs, therefore, are of more mixed origin than 
the fish, probably having had better opportunities for immigration, 
and include a much more distinct Indian element. They pro- 
vide less evidence, moreover, of derivation from a high mountain 
fauna. 

The only Decapod crustacean found in Seistan is a race of a 
species widely distributed in south-western Asia and clearly of 
western rather than eastern origin. The race is not.known from 
higher altitudes than about 6,000 feet, but is cominon in the Quetta 
district of Baluchistan and extends its range southwards and 
eastwards from Seistan to the Punjab Salt Range. The absence of 
Caridea from the fauna of Seistan, and also of aquatic Isopoda, is 
noteworthy, but is easily explicable on geographical grounds. That 
of Amphipoda I have already discussed The Entomostraca have 
little geographical significance. 

The only leech discovered in Seistan (Liamnatis nilotica) is 
distinctly south-eastern Palaearctic in range. It is common in 
Egypt, and in many parts of the Mediterranean basin, but is not 
known from within the limits of the Indian Empire except in the 
extreme west of British Baluchistan. The aquatic Oligochaeta are 
essentially Northern Indian. ‘Two of the three species recorded are 
known only from India proper, while the third form is an Indian 
race of a cosmopolitan species. 

Four species of Polyzoa have been found in Seistan, Two 
of these, both species of Plumatella, are apparently endemic. One of 
these [P. (Hyalinella) higemmis| belongs to a cosmopolitan subgenus, 
the other [P. (Afrindella) persica] to one of tropical range and strictly 
Oriental so far as Asia is concerned. Of the other two represen- 
tatives of the group, one ( Fredericella sultana jordanica ) is a race 
of a cosmopolitan species, formerly known only from Palestine 
and the Volga system, while the other is identical with the Indian 
race of a species (Lophopodella cartert ’ known from India, China 
and Japan, but represented in the two last countries by a distinct 
race (davenportt). 

The only Coelenterate collected is a cosmopolitan species (Hydra 
vulgaris) common in the plains of India. 

Three species of sponge were found, viz. Spongilla alba, S. 
cartert and Ephydatia fluviatilis. The ‘last is a cosmopolitan 
species common in most parts of the Holarctic Zone but represented 
by distinct races in the Himalayas and Upper Burma and replaced 
in Peninsular India by an allied species (EH. meyent). S. cartert 
is the commonest of the Indian freshwater sponges and has also 
been taken in Hungary, Mauritius and the Malay Archipelago. 
S. alba is known from Egypt and from India, where it is usually 


248 Records of the Indian Museum. [ Vor. 2aVibiee 


found in slightly brackish water. The Seistan form belongs to a 
distinct race or variety (vyhadinaea) not found elsewhere. 

Our knowledge of the aquatic insects of Seistan is quite 
fragmentary, being based on a collection made in the middle of 
winter and only partially worked out. We obtained specimens of 
a considerable number of water-beetles, but have not succeeded in 
persuading any coleopterist to name them and our collection of 
Diptera met with more than one misfortune. The aquatic Rhynchota, 
as I have already pointed out, belong exclusively to the families 
Corixidae and Notonectidae. The genera represented (Micronecta, 
Corixa, Microcorisa, Anisops and Notonecta) are cosmopolitan and 
most of the species are known to be Palaearctic. Howsmall our true 
knowledge about the range of the less conspicuous water-bugs really 
is, is, however, illustrated by the fact that one of the Seistan species 
is otherwise known only from an oasis in the Algerian desert. What 
Ihave said about the Rhynchota also applies to the Diptera. One 
species of Tipulid (Symplecta elongata) is recorded as Persian and 
one Ephydrid (Halmopota viridescens) has been described from 
Seistan as new; the other flies are well known European species. 
So probably is also the May-fly (Palingenia) abundant in its larva! 
state on the banks of the Randa stream. 

The aquatic fauna of Seistan is thus, as might be expected 
from its geographical habitat, mainly Palaearctic. Particularly in 
- the fish, it has affinities with that of the highlands of Central 
Asia, but the molluscs belong to the geographical association I 
have recently called the Afghan type—not true Eurasian but 
belonging to species with both Palaearctic and Oriental relation- 
ships. They have, indeed, been introduced, with part of the fish- 
fauna, into Seistan recently, from the lower mountainous districts 
of Afghanistan and Baluchistan. It is among the less highly 
organized invertebrates that the tropical Indian element is most 
clearly manifest, but although this element is apparently absent in 
the fish, it appears (to go beyond the groups discussed in this paper) 
among the birds, of which Mr. Stuart Baker writes:—‘“ The 
geographical affinities are Indo-Palaearctic, the races of resident 
birds nearly all belonging to the Palaearctic rather than to the 
Tndian forms sss On Sone other hand a few sub- “species, appat- 
ently resident, are typically tropical Indian.. : 


249 


N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Seistan. 


Ig2I.] 


(6381) gor -d ‘AT 
yaurelp TNoo $/P oxjatmMeIp ruedur4} ‘a1onrm opnysu 


‘oJ ‘Ysny-npury wror1y 
SnIpaMmAgqur *YIS 0} par[[e ATeso[D 


‘WOISOY orjore 

“ee[eq Jnoysnoiyi jsourye saroeds 
‘e[nsulueg Ave 0} viqriy 

‘S Wlory spueyxe va1dhz vutaso.y 


are Fe ueISIIG 


Ou St ais me4SI9S 


es UeySTOG 
“4sve IsY}IN} SuUIpus}xXe jnq 

aDYzZINOJS “YIS JO EY 0} ALTIUNIG 
‘ueysIag { eIpUy 

jo I9IUONT “M-N ‘UezSIIIZEMY 
‘Ysny-npurpyy ey} pue sede] 

“PUI F] 949 JO Spoys-19}eM UIdqION 

13 sha We4SIIG 

TWeqSTOS 


Uv4sI9g ‘ UeYsIyon[eg jo sureyunoyy | 


.- = 8 UeISIIS 


TOseyY Ijo1vaeyeg Jo jred 1azva145 
‘BISW [e3} UID 
-BISY "M “S :odommy “q pue “Ss 


uPrysIaS 


“CANGSAIIT “IS “WS ‘IP "Oo ‘snpy “uu ‘AAS[OHIN ,,0UeISIOG Ur yeyqeH ‘yWoeyrp ‘azuenboe 
OJ l4yso1 wenb ozouNsIp Ieurpnyzsuo] orjamMeEIp TNI0 ‘oAred ofno0 votd4y BUIOT VY .. | 


*AyJe19ues A1jUN0D pepooy 
pue unmey ey} Jo spaq-pecxy 


se puemy[ay oq} Jo eyeq 
‘peq-meaijs Surdip ur sjood 
Appnw pue pueulyoy 24} Jo eyeq 


she ** puewmyey oq} Jo eyeq 
‘HOSB9S-Ppooy] UT surear}s 
PUL SIZATI YIM pajyoouu0d sfoog 


a puemyoyH 2} Jo ej[9q 


“* ‘oJ9 ‘unmeH ‘puemyax jo eqjoq 


cs me puemyeH jo vi9q 
| ‘unure Fy 
jO Speq-pse1 pue sjeuueyo r3zeE A, 
“IDAII SUI 


| -43p ur sjood pure sjauueyo 1078 A\ 


‘ozo ‘anMeP jO v8pa je siiqap 
puev Avpo jo sdumy sepun 10yu1M uy 


"+ AIZuNOD 9y} AO [Te A[qeqorg 


** UNWIeF JO spaq-pesy 


‘peyseig pue 
‘pueuuy ‘vo1uvjsis wjonump 
‘epodoyjses) 
*VOSO'TIONW 


“+ (aesayY) vavurpyys visodipy 
(‘YpneyD) -woyvmovu visodipy 
(‘pule}s) avyzo107s snpryovma ny 
"*  ‘aesey ‘2a9n1q stsdha0z149S5 
"‘PUle}g ‘avyzorjojs sisdostdoz1yIs 


°* (XIN) 24upnavz xvsoyjzozyIs 
‘TesOY “2u0yvmanm uoporydvas 


‘pueuuy ‘audsyd snyywusorsig 


‘pueuuy ‘snosipp snyywusorsiqg 
"SHOSIg 


oe “Ine’] ‘sipiara ofng 


(seed) vpunqiprs vjuaynosa puny 
TAIN 

‘poupjsvas suokjydouvho vung 
‘VIHOVALVG 


‘asuel [eorydess0ar) 


"18 }SI19g UT yeyiqey 


“OMe NN 


‘NVISINS JO VNOAV 


OMVAOY AHL JO IsSI'] 


[Vor. XVIII, 


Records of the Indian Museum. 


250 


‘jouueys 


woes ur <Ajqeqoid eare’y 


‘meysIqonyeg “AA ur ssuyids 
yissap puUNoI sseis Ssuome j[Npy 


‘pemiyuos AjTa}a1dmoo 
jou st sustipoeds uvedoiny 41M 
suoemtoeds ueystas jo AjI}UOpPT aa, 


| 


‘odoin’ ‘N ut (Azetj10],) [Isso | 
‘mo[ho9 pue sirdury 
UeIPUT 3} IaAO [[e vIIdd, vmAs0.7 


“s][@YS [Issoy-qns A, qissod 
pue Ajduio woi1y uMony AlUO 


seer 


“SYICUIOY 


‘orjoreoeleg Jnoysnoiy} Alqeqord | 


‘SUOISAY [VJUSTIQ pue oyoIeeN | 


ee ee 


ueqysieag ‘odomay 


“IIWIYSe SB 
ysbo Ivy se vISy ‘M\-"S pue odoiny 


‘BISW 


‘M-S pue oedomy yezueut}0D 


‘+ eBollpy pue eisy jo yred 101eeI5) 
‘JAosep Ueysly 


jo jzed jusorfpe pue uejstes 
“eryeuINnS 

pue euling ‘eIpuy ‘ueYsIag | 

ere sotoeds Jse] 0} Ie[IMIS 
‘oseediqo1y 

Ave pue euryo o} ermezodosayzy 
-ermmejodosoy 

JOMO’T ‘{iosop ueysyy ‘uejsies 


WeSIIS ‘Ue IsTyONTe, “N 
= ** saroeds jse[ se omres 
‘elulejodosayy IaMo’yT pue 
Ueysl9g ‘aeIsIVON|eg ‘ueystueysyy 
ie : UPYSTAS 


peqe}eIseN je Uapies uy 


peqeieiseN }e uepresy 


se UNWeE 3} JO Spoq-pooy 


“IQATI JO 
syueq uo A1yuNO0D papooy jo asp 


‘ssurids j1esep 
pue soasinoo-jozea ‘sjood ‘unmey 


JOJVM JO SOIpPod 19sS1e] [Te Ul 


a: punoj sustmiseds peop A[UCO 

: *+ saroads 4se] 0} Ie[IMIIS 
“TOI}BJISOA 

jyUepunge Y}IM 193M JO soIpoq ITV 


punoy susumpeds peop A[uC 
“m01} 
-BoISsep dzo[duI0d 0} s[qQeIT s[oog 
si uUnwey JO spoq-pooy 
‘OT}e}9S0A ONUT 
Wim sjood pue_ sasinod-10}e\\ 
s s}Uenpye pue IaAII puemypoy 


"* sumig ‘sisuajpsuaq vpoyrksqd 


"a SIN *Snjngo1d snmouosy) 
‘VaaLdIg 


‘pur'y ‘suvdaja vanuyos] 
‘VIVNOGO 


I9AI[O ‘vpnvoisuo] ¢ viuasiUpvg 
-eroydoismoydiy 
‘VIOASNI 


"* (19TTMI) saourwuny vyno1qaop 

‘peyseig pue ‘pueuny ‘snavu 

-1pDYyA SIvUIsADU suapYyjamMoT 
‘VaodAN a Tag 


(mosuag) snyjznjv9 vuIUaMsag 

mOssnoyl ‘snapsydna snjnvady 
“(oy 

-Inx{) snjnasnixanuod snjnvahy 


MOSSHO]{ “wnapsoy vanumr1y 
*peyselg pue ‘pueuuy ‘uns 
-QU]UjI9d “LOA VUDISOAPAG DADUMAT 

‘peyseig pue 
‘pueuuy ‘vuvisospas vavumety 


“* Tony ‘vuvisjovg vavumry 
[pueuuy ‘vaipwvmjay vavdi1r, 


‘osuer [eoyders005 


‘TeYSIOG Ul JeyUIGe_y 


‘OTEN 


‘NVISIHS JO VNOAVY OMVAOY AHL JO Lsl’T 


251 


worutdo siqy, 


84L SpreMpy “MM “1 


‘mnuUvisoupas ATPIOM FI [Ted 0} 9[durts sm9es 41 ‘sopsadsqns wv se az17y1AN{/ 0} SIOJaI OSTe ay ILeT[MaSTe YOIM ‘wnI24aq2 0} 10 aprzvranyl 
0} Aja}eUII}[e 0} VOeI 9} SIaJar Yooory se ynq ‘ (£161) o$z ‘d ‘x (‘S'N) wsuag ‘909 ‘sp ‘usnof ut yjasku pue dutay “Ay ‘Ss ‘Aq Aq paydaoor sem 
‘}Qnop suos WIM a727v20nY “gq OF DOB SIN} SIayar [O161 ‘Ez d ‘(aepruomejog) I] *osey ‘T red ‘ysn4_Q ‘9aq “pur *4wD) YIoo[V 4 


(6161) Oo€ ‘d ‘TAX ‘snp “pur ‘say ‘IWQeUNIg g 
‘Sprempy “AN “WI “TIN Aq payiuepr seprndry, pave seprorny Jey} aq} pure sIq™, 5 
‘THeUnIg “A ‘AW Aq oj@[dur0d [[Ws ueyM poyiUepr sem uoemtoeds 


« uiduouds v A[qeqord st sasuaypsuag sq YoryM Jo ‘Keg ‘wypudayy “sy YAM Sooise sty} Inq {7491 SuTM ou ATU ,, ¢ 


‘SPIPMPH “M “wt “TW Aq poyryaepl z 
*(oz61) bir ‘d ‘xXyX ‘snpy ‘puy ‘sey ‘ayepueuuy | 


N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Setstan. 


1921. | 


(‘Teyue10O Apetyo eisy uy) 


‘ISP Y 
Hes ‘qelung eipuy jo soryMoIy 
"MN ‘ WeysIyonye g ‘ WB4SIIS 


aie . UeYSIIS * BOLITW “N 
oa “: ra TeYSTIS 


ueySIIS 
1e4SIIS 


“EIpay 
jO suleyunow ‘uorsey ororesrleg 


ueysIag 


BISIOg 
0 "+ seXeyemry 0} odoin 
‘oye ‘seARTPMIF “MM ‘ UeySTISG 
‘BOUSY “S {UIseq UvsTRIIOZIpyW 

Oyo ‘voor 
jo sjyaed somIeM oy} {voy 
‘PISY "S UL peynqiuysip ATEPIM 


peq wees Surdip ur sjoog 


‘+  Surids J19sap somes 

i a sutids j1asoq 
‘UNMeF YY} JO Spaq-poe1 

pue speq meoaij}s surAip ut sjoog 

oe sjouueyo woryesiisy 


Re peqezeneg ye puod aseq[IA 


"sasinoo 

-Id}JWM IaSIel JO vdvjIns uo JNpVy 
‘sjauueys uoly 

-BSIIIL Jo syueq UO UOMIMOD NPY 

pis unweyy jo ospe je yNpy 
*"S9SINOo-19}eM Ul pue 

ssurids j1osop ul wourmo0d vaAre’y 


soroeds se] se mopies oures uy 


g oor y ‘mnu 
(uomvjog) uompjog 
‘epodesaq 
“VAOVISOA) 


-DISOApas 


“AIOFY ‘s1swasysig vjaauosor py 
“*  “‘4sIq, ‘wuvjsasap vJ2aUN0AIL TT 


= ‘4sIq ‘vunpuvdsa DxIA0D 

“‘YSIC{ ‘S¢suaUH{s1as VKIAOD 

we PIT ‘VIV1ASQns VX1AOD 

9 “ysIq ‘seuilo vx1409 

‘ju ‘va1ydApsosary DxI40D 

‘+ ‘yora’y ‘2fodfjas vs1s020A9v Jy 

He "yIny ‘240qa1 sdosiup 

“IQR 

DINDIS  wjIIUOJON 

“VLOHONAHY 


‘“pasOMAvue 


** gunig ‘suassapisia vydowmjp 
g a Pid 1° 


ne “MT ‘vyvsuoja 0199quhs 


‘bow ‘vppjoaavisuo) vipypqoay 


. PIM ‘suvoyws vaynd 


[Vor. XVIII, 


Records of the Indian Museum. 


"TIBYSIOS 
‘eIpuy Ie[nsulmeg pue nIEeq}ION 


‘MOISeyY ojo1eseled 


f 


‘soreds uez 
-1jodousoo Ajqeqord ore 9891} [TV 


le JSP] 84} SB JeyIqey omes TY | 


‘jood-pooy ur wnsqnjy 
“17994 “TOA Dunescaped vavuMry Uy | 


| 
PUNY WoONesiI UT | 


‘oJ9 ‘vasos ‘eA DULdstd 
=#0n <r UE spaq-peer jo sjood uy 
ye] 94} TIM 
sjood 10}eM-[NoF uy | 


OG JSP OY} Se JEUIQeY oes UT 

‘Oye ‘vaso4 “IVA VULdSId | 

-u0] ‘G jt Spaq-pee1 ur sjood qy | 
“pouor}ueur 

Apearye saddz yjoq zo sjood uy 
“SUD4 

-da4 “FT WA Spoq-pser ur sfood uy 
“04v 19 

“J YA Id}eM [NvF Jo sjood ay | 

“snqvursad uojasomnvjog ssuoumle | 

‘Imuleyy UT 10}eM\ Ieapo Jo sjood uy | 

¢ are sjood ames uy 

‘ylesep yonjeg 

ur Surzds ur oste ‘sjood aus | 

DUJAYIVUUDZ 


le 


‘puuy ‘sisuajpsuag AeSDEOIEDY 
~eVeYOSIO 
(20 WOMANNY 


ee "sIeS ‘sinuaz visayisaydaT 
"VOVULSOHONOD 

‘inf ‘sapisra sdozatg 

ote ‘sne[Q ‘aysvyona, sdoj9k9 

‘sIeS-Ioyosi yy ‘sunuass sdojahg 
“vaodado0d 


‘IN ‘A ‘O ‘St4jsosisuo] purmsog 
-* inf ‘oynjnoias viuydvpoiag 


“*"s1eg ‘wpjayajnd viuydvporsaD 
‘W “I 'O ‘snynjaa snyoydasomis 
“sIeS 


‘nasoa ‘1eA vurdsisuo, viuydog 


As ‘sneiys ‘vusvum viuydvqg 
“VasOOaVID 


** pureg ‘suvzdaa stsdda0jagsa yy 
‘Inf ‘wsoz7va stadhaompjog 


fie ‘sieg ‘2A pvaq svagha0ajy 


L| yssuoure ‘19}7eM [NOF jo sfoog| °° preg ‘vzvavja suadaong 
‘VaOOVALSO 
“‘SyIVMIDY ‘osu [eoryders005) “TIEJSIOS UT JeIUIGeH “QUIEN 
1 ee : -_—— — - —— = 
Ww) 
a ‘NVISIAG JO VNAVY OILVAOY AHL JO LsI’'J 


N. ANNANDALE: Fauna of Seistan. 253 


192I.] 


‘eIpuy pue 4dAsAq 


moiy uMouy varity vutsof ITI, 


‘soroods UeIPU WOMIUIOD aT, | * 


‘eyno[eD Wor; 
poyiodmr 9f}}e9 ul ‘[[eqsIey\ 
‘H‘H ‘1d 4q uoosuey ur punoyy 

*(e¥XO ‘140d 
-uaawp) yurnstip Apyeoyrodsqns 
SI doer osouedef pure ssouIyD oT, 


seAPleumiy “MM SUIpnpUr ‘ooIelOH 
‘eIpuy ‘eisAeyey ‘ Snipe 
!eolyy yeiyueg (¢) ‘edomm™ “| 


UeqSIOG 


ueyyodoutso; 
‘(peonporjzur 2) eolemMy ‘Ss ‘ eIsy 

‘S pue voliyy 19Ao je A[qeqoig 
uedef 0} uejstag 


Sp a0 WeySTag 


“potunp 
-dol puvzyns “yf Se SyeyIqey smMeS UT 
‘ArjuN09 papeoy 


UI wmesjoy  yssuoure safnmutesy 
UNWeFT IY} JO Spoq-pee: uy 
149JAD9 “"T Y}IM [OUNLYO WOTeSIII UT 


UNnUIv ET JO ospo IOI] Joos Uy 


‘jeuueYyO WOI}eE3S 
-IdII UL ovs[e SnoJusME[Y Jsouomy 


a UNMET St} JO Spaq-poer uy 
“ped 


ueystag | -Mmvo13s Sudip ur sjood Appnut uy 


1b} 


‘untme FT ay} jo 


-SI9S  fauiyseyeq ‘urajsks vsfo, | Use o1eq je pue spaq-poeI uy 


** WeISIaG ‘VIPUL "M-~N 


s8urids j19seq 


‘Spoq-peer ut sjood ur 
osje ‘ vyapodoydoT uoozhog 214 
YM pozyemosse JouueyD sues UT 
‘aes[e SnojJuem 
-ely jssuome jouNeYyS WOT}esIIIT Uy 


‘sony ‘syupiany vuyoprAydy 


“JO}IVD 
‘taajava (snidvungq) vyisuods 
‘pueuny 
‘nanuipoya “ed vQyn vywduods 
‘VUAMINOg 


"SBE ‘stapajna vapa Hy 
*VOZOAUGAH 


PIogqos ‘vazuvsis vjo1ssv.7 
‘VGOLVINAAL 


(33e4}4) t4az4v9 wvyjapodoydoT 
‘pueuuy ‘s7m 
-masiq (vyauyvd zy) vyjajpwmnig 


‘pueuny 
‘yaisaad (vpjapura{ Pf) vyawuMny J 
‘pueuny 
‘poiuvpsol punjyns vpja01Aapady 
“VOZA'IOd 


(‘1eS) v91J071uU syvUMT 
‘VANIGO UI 


“rACHSdodS 
SIUNw M09 SIN 
2 Wosusy 
-dajs ‘sesuaqvlund sajspsojapy9 


‘sesuaqnolund 


we 


 pmiae es Le ‘ih 
*A\ 


. 
' / 
As f 


* 


Ree” 
FESR 


ie be ae, 
met I= - 


RECORDS 


a the 


INDIAN MUSEUM 


Vol. XVII. 


REPORT ON THE 


AQUATIC FAUNA OF SEISTAN 


WITH SUBSIDIARY STUDIES. 


Part I. 


September, rg19Q. 


PAGE 
Geographical Introduction... ie 3 
The Mollusca of the Inland Waters of Baluchistan and i Seistan, 
with a note on the Liver-Fluke of Sheep in Seistan. ie we uty 
Notes on Fish of the genus Discognathus from India ca Persia... 65 
Notes on Odonata collected in Seistan and Baluchistan in winter .. Ga ths 
Calcutta : 


PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR, ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 
PRINTED AT THE BAPTIST MISSION PRESS. 


1919. 
Price Two Rupees. 


=r 


oat 


RECORDS 


of the 


INDIAN MUSEUM 


Vol. XVIII. 


REPORT ON THE 


AQUATIC FAUNA OF SEISTAN 


WITH SUBSIDIARY STUDIES. 


Part ll. 
December, rgro. 
PAGE ~ 

Sponges, Hydrozoa and Polyzoa of Seistan ne “ty Sr Pes 83 
Carabidae from Seistan .. 99 
Report on the Freshwater Gastropnd Molluscs of Cowes Nesopotama, 

Part 1.—The genus Limnaea we : 103 
On a new genus and species of Coccidae from Northe Western India and 

Eastern Persia os S be =) HA pa 
Notes on two collections of Birds ftons Seistan .. ae =y ic, 2 TBE 


Calcutta : 


PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR, ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 
PRINTED AT THE BAPTIST MISSION PRESS, 


1919. 


Price Iwo Rupees. 


Beata 
8 Ga EE ee eee ee 2 Se ee 


1M ails 


‘2 


ee 

Roe 
Hig) 
” 


i. Ae 
bth) EA 
v1 pr ape 


eee 


Se 


pe ee 


pa 
ageey 


RECORDS 


of the 


INDIAN MUSEUM 


Vol. XVIII. 


REPORT ON THE 


AQUATIC FAUNA OF SEISTAN 


WITH SUBSIDIARY STUDIES. 


Part III. 


April, 1920. 


PAGE 
Note on the occurrence of the Leech Limnatis nilotica in Seistan and the 
Aighan-Baluch Desert wa rt = wi 135 
Notes on some Asiatic species of Palingenia (Order Ephemeroptera) 137 
List of Entomostraca collected in Seistan and the Baluch Desert .. eds: 7 te 
Report on the Freshwater Gastropod Molluscs of Lower Mesopotamia. 
Part {1.—The Family Planorbidae 147 


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Part IV. 


September, 1920. 


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The Fish of Seistan By a cht Be ies s we TRE 
The Rhynchota-Heteroptera (Notonectidae and Corixidae) of Seistan -a 208 
The Gross Anatomy of Corbicula fluminalis (Muller) .. ae aii ZOO) 


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Vol. XVIII. 


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Part V. 
April, 1921. 

PAGE 
Note on the Leech Limnatis nilotica .. ‘iP ee Pat pepe ees 

Report on the Freshwater Gastropod Molluscs of Lower Mesopotamia. 
Part Ill. The Families Neritidae, Hydrobiidae and Melaniidae . . sty hs 
Notes on Larval Trematodes from Seistan . , ip ae a vin 220) 
The Aquatic Fauna of Seistan: A Summary ae Mie aS Sag aa 


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